204 The Atlantis Encyclopedia
prophecies, which he published as a book, in 1555. It is composed of rhymed
quatrains, or four-lined stanzas, grouped in hundreds; each set of 100 quatrains
was identified as a “century.” Hence, its title, Centuries. Its popularity was so
widespread, especially in high places, he dedicated an enlarged, second edition
to the King. Having thus gained royal favor, Nostradamus was everywhere in
demand. Catherine de Medici invited him to cast the horoscopes of her children,
and he became the personal physician to Charles IX, who ascended the French
throne in 1560.
Because of these important political contacts, Vatican hostility was postponed,
but inevitable. In 1781, the Roman Catholic Church officially condemned
Nostradamus, his prophecies, and any Catholics who read them, under the
inquisitorial Congregation of the Index. This was a body of bishops and cardinals
who busied themselves with rooting out perceived heresies. Since then, the
“centuries” of Nostradamus have gained international attention for many predictions
that have apparently come to pass, and especially because at least some of those
which are yet unfulfilled seem strangely relevant to our time.
One of his prophecies may be an enigmatic reference to the future discovery
of Atlantis. It reads:
Le camp Ascop de Europe partira,
(The Ascop company leaves Europe,)
S’adjoignant proche d’ l’sle submergee
(Approaching in concert the sunken island)
D’ Arton classe phalange pliera Nobril du Monde.
(with Arton’s tight group of individuals united for a common
purpose near the Navel of the World:)
plus grand voix subrogee.
(a greater voice will [then] be subrogated by a lesser one;
or, a great voice will be substituted [then] for another.)
Like all his prophecies, Century II.22 is open to interpretation. Nonetheless,
Nostradamus refers to “l’sle submergee” as “Nobril du Monde”; Atlantis, “the
sunken island,” was also known as the “Navel of the World.” His “classe phalange”
suggests highly motivated investigators working together on a common project.
He implies that two different groups will cooperate: Ascop and Arton. Neither
have been certainly identified with anything known before or since the 16th
century. They are more like modern amalgams for industrial firms, perhaps
different research companies cooperating in a common underwater investigation.
“Plus grand voix subrogee” hints that the long-standing opinion, or “voice” of
conventional scientists, who insist that Atlantis was strictly legendary, will be
displaced by Ascop and Arton’s joint discovery of archaeological evidence estab-
lishing the city’s physical existence.
The two best-known prophets in history—Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce—
both spoke of Atlantis.
(See Edgar Cayce, Navel of the World)