Plato was, in essence, the creator of Atlantis when he wrote Timaeus and Critias in which the civilization of Atlantis was first mentioned. The two were written between 370 and 350 BC and in them Plato mentions that the island-continent of Atlantis was in the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Gibraltar until they were destroyed 10,000 years prior to his time because of the Atlantians' misuse of power.  

While Aristotle believed that the texts were purely fictional, Crantor, the first editor of Timaeus and Critias, claimed that all of it was true and he fully supported the existence of Atlantis. The descriptions of Atlantis were full of specific and supposedly historical details and explanations which have led many to question if such detailed accounts could have been so explicitly fabricated only to be mentioned in the works.   

The Story of Atlantis:

When the Greek Gods appropriated the world, Poseidon, the God of the seas, earthquakes, and horses, was given Atlantis and immediately fell in love with Cleito, a young Atlantian woman. To protect her, Poseidon created a central island surrounded by rings of land and water. Together, Poseidon and Cleito had five pairs of twin boys who who grew to be the ten kings of Atlantis. Under the leadership of these ten kings, the people of Atlantis undertook massive building projects including the connecting of the rings of land with bridges, a canal, and a large entrance to admit their ships. Atlantis also had lavish and ornate temples, shrines, and a palace. A massive stone was enclosed the three rings of land.

Atlantis was a utopia as well as a great power that became Athens' primary rival that would not only challenge Athens' ideal state and society but its military prowess.

Atlantians were granted a nobility of spirit and self-control which kept them about secular possessions such as love or wealth and as long as they continued to demonstrate such restraint, Atlantis and its people would continue to prosper. However, this nobility of spirit did not remain as the once utopian society became overridden with corruption and degradation. According to Critias the gods punished Atlantis by provoking war between Atlantis and Athens. While Athens suffered from great losses, Atlantis was forced to admit defeat and was destroyed, by the gods, in the process.