Philosophy of science and nature

Can you tell in advance what the sky will do?

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Thales of Miletus

The eclipse that stopped a battle

According to Herodotus, Thales foretold a solar eclipse to the Ionians, though he named only the year; it is identified with an eclipse that astronomers have calculated for May 28, 585 BCE.

ancient testimony · Heródoto, The Histories 1.74.2

This idea opens onto 3 paths

Philosophy of science and nature · astronomy

What is claimed and why

  1. Herodotus says Thales had foretold to the Ionians the solar eclipse that interrupted a battle between Lydians and Medes, fixing only the year in which it would happen. ancient testimony
    Heródoto, The Histories (tr. A. D. Godley) — 1.74.2
    Thales of Miletus had foretold this loss of daylight to the Ionians, fixing it within the year in which the change did indeed happen.
    Heródoto, The Histories (tr. Bartolomé Pou) — 1.74
    mutación que Thales Milesio había predicho a los jonios, fijando el término de ella en aquel año mismo en que sucedió
    John Burnet, Early Greek Philosophy — §3
    The prediction of the eclipse is therefore better attested than any other fact about Thales whatsoever.
    Patricia O'Grady, Thales of Miletus (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy) — §8a · consulted; copyrighted text, not reproduced
  2. Scholars identify Thales' eclipse with the total solar eclipse of 28 May 585 BCE (Julian calendar), calculated by astronomers and probably visible in Asia Minor. scholarly consensus
    John Burnet, Early Greek Philosophy — §4
    Astronomers have calculated that there was an eclipse of the sun, probably visible in Asia Minor, on May 28 (O.S.), 585 B.C.
    Patricia O'Grady, Thales of Miletus (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy) — §8a · consulted; copyrighted text, not reproduced

Profile: Thales of Miletus