It was no ordinary eclipse in 585 BCE

585 BCE A solar eclipse occurred, as predicted (according to Herodotus) by Thales of Miletus (pictured; c. 635 - 543 BCE), the Greek philosopher and father of science. However, this was no ordinary eclipse, if such can be ordinary.

On this day, while King Alyattes of Lydia (619 - 560 BCE), was battling King Cyaxares (625 - 585 BCE) of Media (Iran) by the Halys River in Asia Minor (modern Turkey), this pheomenon of Nature led to a remarkable phenomenon of history.

Sobered by the sudden darkening of the sky, the superstitious Lydians and Medians promptly signed a peace treaty, packed up their gear and went home. This is one of the cardinal dates – some say the oldest – from which other dates in the human record can be calculated.

Tagged: science, solar, eclipse