DENTON, TX – As the total solar eclipse draws near, the University of North Texas (UNT) community is buzzing with anticipation. Faculty and students alike are preparing to experience this rare celestial event, which has sparked discussions about its historical and scientific significance.
Zoe Ortiz, an assistant professor in the Department of History at UNT, is particularly excited about the educational opportunities the eclipse presents. Ortiz, who specializes in the study of the Roman Empire and archaeology, reflects on how ancient civilizations, such as the Romans and Greeks, perceived celestial events like eclipses.
“In ancient times, myth and science were deeply intertwined,” Ortiz explains. “Events like eclipses were not just astronomical occurrences but were imbued with mythological and fatalistic significance.”
Ortiz’s interest in how ancient cultures interpreted celestial phenomena was further piqued during an archaeological dig that uncovered the Gabii Altar, a relic adorned with zodiac symbols, in the city where she was working. This discovery led her to delve deeper into the ways early civilizations, including the Romans, made sense of eclipses.
Historically, many societies considered eclipses as omens that could portend good or bad outcomes. The Greeks and Romans, for instance, relied on augurs, religious figures, to decipher these signs. Even the Assyrians in the 8th century B.C. had developed methods to predict eclipses, viewing them as warnings of danger to their rulers.
Ortiz highlights a historical anecdote where the interpretation of an eclipse played a pivotal role: on the eve of the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 B.C., an eclipse was seen as a bad omen by the Persian Emperor Darius III’s augurs, while Alexander the Great’s interpreters took it as a sign of impending victory. Alexander’s subsequent victory not only marked a significant power shift but also facilitated cultural and scientific exchanges between the Greeks and the Eastern cultures, enhancing the understanding of celestial bodies.
Over the centuries, the perception of eclipses transitioned from supernatural omens to scientific phenomena. The development of early scientific tools, like the Antikythera mechanism, showcases this shift. This ancient Greek device, capable of predicting solar eclipses, is often hailed as the first known computer.
Ortiz believes that studying ancient civilizations can provide valuable insights for modern society, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past to understand the present. “We are all inheritors of the ancient world,” she says, underscoring the continuous link between ancient and modern times in the quest for knowledge.
As the UNT community prepares to witness the upcoming total solar eclipse, they do so not just as spectators of a stunning natural event, but as part of a long human tradition of seeking to understand the universe’s mysteries.
For those eager to experience the solar eclipse in Denton and want to ensure they do so safely and with the best views, we’ve got you covered. To learn more about the best practices for watching the solar eclipse, including safety tips, ideal viewing locations around Denton, and how to make the most out of this celestial event, visit our detailed guide. Join us in embracing this rare astronomical occurrence with knowledge and excitement.