Among the ancient Hindoos, the common people believed that eclipses were caused by the interposition of a monstrous demon called Raha. This absurd idea, and others equally ridiculous, were based on declarations in their sacred books, and no pious Hindoo would think of denying it.
The following cases of darkenings of the sun are given by Humboldt:—
According to Plutarch the sun remained pale for a whole year at the death of Julius Cæsar, and gave less than its usual heat.[486]
A sun-darkening lasting for two hours is recorded on August 22, 358 A.D., before the great earthquake of Nicomedia.
In 360 A.D. there was a sun-darkening from early morn till noon. The description given by the historians of the time corresponds to an eclipse of the sun, but the duration of the obscurity is inexplicable.
In 409 A.D., when Alaric lay siege to Rome, “there was so great a darkness that the stars were seen by day.”
In 536 A.D. the sun is said to have been darkened for a year and two months!
In 626 A.D., according to Abul Farag, half the sun’s disc was darkened for eight months!
In 934 A.D. the sun lost its brightness for two months in Portugal.
In 1090 A.D. the sun was darkened for three hours.