Consider This from NPR Bad Omens Or The Cycle of Nature? How The Ancient World Viewed Eclipses
Apr 7, 2024
Eckhart Fromm, a Professor of Assyriology at Yale, shares his expertise on ancient Mesopotamian astronomy and how eclipses were perceived as ominous events in that era. He discusses how these celestial events inspired meticulous observations and predictions by ancient scholars. Fromm highlights the cultural significance of solar eclipses, including their impact on beliefs about royalty and fate. The conversation contrasts ancient fears with our modern scientific understanding, illuminating humanity's eternal fascination with the cosmos.
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Eclipses as Omens
- Ancient Mesopotamians, like many ancient cultures, viewed solar eclipses as bad omens.
- They documented these events on clay tablets, expressing fears of famine or the king's death.
Early Astronomy
- Ancient Mesopotamian astronomers meticulously tracked celestial movements without telescopes.
- Their long-term observations led to the discovery of eclipse cycles and advanced mathematical astronomy.
Long-Term Observation
- Continuous observation and detailed record-keeping were crucial to ancient astronomical advancements.
- The Greeks later utilized Mesopotamian research, evidenced by tools like the Antikythera mechanism.