Number 101 (Story #4), October 30, 1992 by Phillip F. Schewe and Ben Stein LUNAR ECLIPSES HAVE SWAYED HISTORICAL EVENTS. Armed with a table of upcoming eclipses, Christopher Columbus (shipwrecked during his 4th voyage) confidently predicted to the hostile native Jamaicans that God would send a messenger. The darkening of the moon duly occurred and Columbus got his way with the local residents. Other historically important eclipses include those of 431 BC, which influenced the decisive battle of the Peloponnesian War, at Syracuse; instead of retreating at a strategic moment, the superstitious Athenian general Nicias, intimidated by the ominous dark moon, delayed, causing the loss of his fleet and army. In 1453 the Byzantines were steadfastly defending Constantinople against the Ottomans, buoyed by an ancient prophecy that the city would not fall during a waxing moon. An eclipsed full moon on May 22 helped to break morale and the city fell a week later. Centuries later the Ottomans fell afoul of an eclipse which influenced the Arabian campaign in World War I. Lawrence of Arabia and his Bedouin followers captured the Ottoman fort at Aqaba by attacking while defenders were banging pots in an effort to bring back the eclipsed moon. (Sky & Telescope, December 1992.)