Destruction of Atlantis by the American artist Peter Minchell, circa 1972. The Greek philosopher Plato made the first written references to Atlantis in 360 BC. He suggested that Atlantis was located on an island at the mouth of the Pillars of Hercules in what is now called the Strait of Gibraltar. Despite many expeditions, the existence and location of Atlantis has not yet been confirmed. Legend has it that Atlantis was destroyed by a great flood and was submerged beneath the sea around 9600 BC.