Battle Is Stopped by Solar Eclipse
The event known as "Battle Is Stopped by Solar Eclipse" refers to a significant occurrence during an armed conflict between the Lydians and the Medes on May 28, 585 B.C. This battle, taking place in the Middle East, is notable for its unusual resolution, as a solar eclipse abruptly halted the fighting. The Lydians, residing in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and recognized for their wealth and innovations in currency, had been engaged in a five-year war with the Medes, who inhabited what is now northeastern Iran. On the day of the eclipse, predicted by the Greek astronomer Thales, the sudden darkness astonished both armies, causing them to cease hostilities out of fear. Following this dramatic event, the two empires reached a peace agreement, solidifying their truce through royal marriages. This incident is remarkable not just for its historical implications, but also for its demonstration of how natural phenomena can influence human affairs, particularly in the context of ancient warfare and diplomacy.
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Battle Is Stopped by Solar Eclipse
Battle Is Stopped by Solar Eclipse
One of the most unusual resolutions to an armed conflict took place on May 28, 585 b.c., when a solar eclipse stopped a battle in the Middle East between the Lydians and the Medes. Because of the regularity with which eclipses occur, we know the exact date of the battle that ended so dramatically, which is extremely rare for ancient conflicts.
The combatants were armies from Lydia and Media. Lydia was located in Asia Minor, now modern-day Turkey, and was known for its wealth in gold and silver. The Lydians were also probably the first people to coin money. They built a powerful empire which took them to the borders of another ancient power: Media. The Medes lived in what is now northeastern Iran, which borders Turkey, and had a formidable empire of their own. The two powers had been at war for five years over territory and regional dominance when, on that May 28th, a solar eclipse took place. It had been predicted by the Greek astronomer Thales, who understood the pattern of eclipses, but that was evidently unknown to the two armies, for they were taken by surprise. As “the day was turned into night,” which is how the Greek historian Herodotus described it, the combatants were terrified. All fighting stopped. Afterwards, the two empires agreed to a peace treaty, sealed by marriages between the respective royal families.