Plato, Herodotus and the Question of Historical Truth

Abstract

The present article aims to shed light on an intertextual relationship between Herodotus 2.142–144 and Plato Timaeus 21b–26c. The frame story of the Atlantis tale shows striking similarities to Herodotus’ anecdote about Hecataeus of Miletus’ meeting with Egyptian priests. It will be argued that Plato used Herodotus’ anecdote in order to make a philosophical point about historical truth in the Histories. By using freely invented source references, Plato parodies Herodotus’ handling of sources. First, the article offers a short summary of the two passages. Secondly, the similarities of the texts are explained, and evidence that Plato created the resemblances on purpose is provided. Thirdly, the article shows that Plato uses different strategies of authentication ironically and reverses Herodotus’ message concerning the oldest civilisation in order to criticize the historiographer’s use of sources in a humorous way.