In ancient times, a total solar eclipse might have ended a war over territory between the Lydians, inhabitants of modern Turkey, and the Medes, who lived in what is now Iran. The two peoples had been fighting for over five years, but that ended on May 28, 585 B.C.E.
Greek historian Herodotus wrote about the conclusion of the conflict in Book I of his Histories: “As the balance had not inclined in favor of either nation, another engagement took place in the sixth year of the war, in the course of which, just as the battle was growing warm, day was suddenly turned into night. … When the Lydians and Medes observed the change they ceased fighting, and were alike anxious to conclude peace.” Though Greek astronomer Thales had predicted the eclipse, it apparently took the combatants by surprise, as they were frightened by the omen. Afterwards, they came to a peace agreement, sealed by marriages between their royal houses.
