In today's post, we'll explore a fascinating historical event known as the "Eclipse of Thales." This remarkable event took place during a war between two ancient powers—the Medes and the Lydians. I'll share the intriguing story behind this eclipse, discuss the famous account given by Herodotus, and also take a look at what modern historians have to say about it. Let's dive in!
When the Sun Went Out During War
In the late 7th and early 6th century BC, two powerful kingdoms in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) were locked in a long and exhausting war. On one side were the Lydians, ruled by King Alyattes, and on the other, the Medes, led by King Cyaxares. Their conflict, which lasted from around 590 BC to 585 BC, had no clear winner. Year after year, battles were fought, men died, and yet, neither side could claim victory.
Then, something strange happened—something so unexpected that it changed the course of history.
Herodotus’ Version: The War That Stopped at Noon
The ancient Greek historian Herodotus, writing more than a century later, tells us that during one particular battle on May 28, 585 BC, the sky suddenly went dark. The sun vanished, and a total eclipse covered the battlefield in shadow.
To the soldiers, this was terrifying. They didn’t know about solar eclipses; they had no scientific explanation for what was happening. To them, it was as if the gods themselves were telling them to stop fighting. The Lydians and Medes immediately put down their weapons and, instead of continuing the battle, decided to negotiate peace.
According to Herodotus, the Greek philosopher and mathematician Thales of Miletus had actually predicted this eclipse in advance. His knowledge of astronomy, he claimed, allowed him to forecast the event, making him one of the first recorded people to successfully predict an eclipse. Whether anyone actually listened to Thales beforehand is another story.
The Reality: A War Already Ending
While Herodotus’ version is the most famous, modern historians are a bit more skeptical.
First of all, there's no strong evidence that Thales could have predicted the eclipse with precision. While the ancient Greeks were skilled in astronomy, accurately forecasting a specific solar eclipse was beyond their abilities at the time. It wasn't until about a century later, with philosophers like Anaxagoras in the 5th century BC, that Greeks began to better understand eclipses scientifically.
In fact, some historians suggest the event might have actually been a lunar eclipse instead, which ancient astronomers found easier to predict. If the soldiers had planned their activities expecting the brightness of a full moon, they'd have been startled to see it rise already darkened by shadow. If this lunar eclipse theory is correct, the date of the battle wouldn't have been 585 BC (the date provided by the Roman historian Pliny), but some other date entirely.
Additionally, historians believe the war was already nearing its conclusion. Both kings had likely realized that neither side could fully defeat the other and were looking for a way to end the fighting. The eclipse didn’t suddenly stop a battle in progress—it happened later in the day, possibly after fighting had already ceased. Instead of causing peace, it probably just reinforced the decision that both sides were already making.
The Aftermath: Peace Through Marriage
Regardless of the exact details, the war did come to an end shortly after the eclipse. With the help of Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, the two kings made peace and sealed the deal with a royal marriage. Alyattes' daughter married Cyaxares' son, creating a bond between the two kingdoms.
The Lesson from History
While the idea of an eclipse stopping a battle is a dramatic and memorable story, the truth is likely more complex. The war was winding down, peace was already in the works, and the eclipse simply served as a powerful symbol to confirm what both sides had already decided.
Even if Thales didn’t predict the eclipse, and even if it didn’t directly stop the fighting, it remains a fascinating moment in history—one where nature, war, and human decision-making all came together in an unforgettable way.
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