Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-06-08
ECLIPSE TODAY WILL NOT CAUSE
 TERROR OF OLD
Ancients Were Terrorized by Eclipses of Sun and
 Moon and Earthquakes

Moon and Earthquakes
 Today's solar eclipse, which will be visible in Pine Bluff and many parts of the United States is not likely to arouse any such feeling of fear as similar phenomena aroused among the ancients. Before the dawn of astron omical science eclipses of the sun and moon aroused superstitious alarm and inspired all the primal races with awe. Among the ignorant an eclipse excited the same apprehension and dread experienced on the occasion of an earthquake, volcanic eruption or thunderstorm or cyclone.o The earliest record of an eclipse was that of the sun, observed by the Chinese, B. c. 2158. The record is meager and merely says: "In the last month of the autumn, the first day of the moon, the heavenly bodies were not in agreement ill Fang" The first record of an eclipse ap- preaching any definitness of account was the Ninevah eclipse B. c. 763. The records of these ancient eclipses are valuable chiefly on account of the data supplied by the dates and for the religious significance of such occur ences.
 The most notable eclipse recorded in history and the one most frequent ly mentioned in literature and among scholars was that of the sun at the time of the battle between the Ly- dians and Medes, May 22, B. c. 5S5. The battle was suspended and peace was made through the good officers of Thales. The most important eclipse, however, ill the history of mankind occurred in A. D. $40, and which caused the death of Emperor Louis. The three sons promptly en- gagged in a war among themselves, which tore the country to pieces. The war lasted three years and ended with the treaty of Verdun, whereby France, Italy and Germany were carved out of Charlemagne's vast empire. This was the beginning of the three countries named.
 The first eclipse observed in Eng land occurred February 15, A. D. 538, and is. men toned in "The Saxon Chronicals." Columbus made good use of his knowledge of eclipses amonk the savages.
 In the infancy of the human race the earth was supposed to be the cen ter of the universe, with the sun, moon and stars revolving around our globe at certain fixed universe, with tn at certain fixed distance. Not even the seers and philosophers of ancient times understood the mechanism of the celestial world. Little enough is known about celestial subjects at this day, but an eclipse is the simplest phenomenon of all that occurs among the heavenly bodies.
 The early races of men Worshlpeo the sun and regarded it's extinction by an eclipse as the work of demon ol the wrath of an unknown and super for god or of a gigantic monster. In India the dragons Bahu and Ketu were held responsible for the sufferir endured by the son and moon at the time of an eclipse. Sun worship was prevalent among the ancient Egyp tians, Assyrians, Persians and Hit tites. All of these nations used the sun god. The egyptians worshipet animals for the most part, but tht Semitic religions were based upon re verence for astronomical objects. Su pertsition and ignorance went hand II hensions.
 , The eclipse of the sun is occasionet winged disk as their emblem of thu hand on the occasion of an eclipse ant so created the most appalling appre by the movement of the moon. Th' hensions.
 The eclipse of the sun is ocassione' , ] by the movement of the moon. Th' , sun stands still, virtually, while th' , moon sweeps over it's face. That is the sun moves only about minute and half along his path during al hour, which is about the average du ration of an eclipse. Hence, 1t i clearly apparent that both the eclips of the moon and the sun are brougih about by the moons motion, with vii tually no reference whatever to tn motions of either the sun or the earth In olden times great clamities wer associated in the minds of the peop! with an eclipse, but as a scientifl and we'll known fact, an eclipse ha no effect on the physical condition O the universe. The ancient alarm wa the most groundless of all fears. Ye the most intelligent can hardly lool upon such an event without feeling of solemnity. ..
 The eclipse is scheduled to begl1 1 at 6:35 and end at 8:39 p. m.