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Connected to the ocean by an immense canal a hundred feet deep and several miles long, at the very center of the city was the dazzling citadel of Atlantis, which housed the most spectacular treasures that ever graced the earth.
"They had such an amount of wealth as was never before possessed by kings and is not likely ever to be again." Plato tells us that for long ages the Atlanteans lived at peace with the rest of the world on their beautiful island paradise. Unspoiled by their material possessions and great wealth, they were concerned only with learning, cultivating virtue and living in harmony with nature.
Yet finally this golden age passed, then the Atlanteans became like other mortals. Human nature got the upper hand, they became tainted with unrighteous ambition and power. Insatiable for wealth and glory, the Atlanteans pushed forward the bounds of their empire, enslaving all before them. Finally only one city stood between Atlantis and world domination--Athens. But here at the hands of the Athenians, the armies of Atlantis suffered a crushing defeat for the first time, a defeat that was swiftly followed by a natural disaster that laid waste to most of the world, completely destroying the islands of Atlantis. Violent earthquakes and floods, and in a single day and night of misfortune, the Island of Atlantis disappeared in the depth of the sea.
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citadel: n. 大本营，堡垒，要塞
grace: v. 增色，增光
mortal: n. 凡人
unrighteous: adj. 邪恶的，不公正的
insatiable: adj. 贪得无厌的
enslave: v. 奴役
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