Interesting British Museum blog today re: eclipse, Alexander the Great,

[Tanuki]

illuminated manuscripts, etc.:


http://blogs.bl.uk/digitisedmanuscripts/2017/08/total-eclipse-of-the-sun.html

http://blogs.bl.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef01bb09ba1de9970d-500wi

http://blogs.bl.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef01b7c916eab9970b-500wi

[procon]

1. A 14th-century astronomical manuscript is more accurate than many Americans.

At the same time Republicans are at war with math and science because it doesn't comply with their wackadoodle theories and mad pursuit of riches at all costs, and conspiring with religious fanatics to kill off public education in favor of 'bible-based' learning. Left to them, we'll be dumber than any wretched third world tribesman, running in fear because the priests told us that demons will devour the sun... unless we make generous offerings at the temple.

[Tanuki]

2. Trumpanzees would really freak out if they saw (or could comprehend)

the sophistication of mathematics and astronomy in the medieval Islamic world!

http://www.medievalists.net/2014/01/eclipses-in-the-middle-east-from-the-late-medieval-islamic-period-to-the-early-modern-period/