In a WSJ article discussing the recent solar eclipse it is claimed that solar eclipses may have been considered as a sign of "doomsday" to some ancient peoples. "In ancient times, an eclipse was sometimes viewed as a sign of a coming doomsday"(Link to Article)
Does anyone know of any ancient sources that reference a solar eclipse? If so do any back this idea of a doomsday type warning?
Herodotus reports that Thales of Miletus predicted the eclipse on May 28, 585 BC. Despite the prediction, people were apparently upset by it. This is H. 1.74.
As, however, the balance had not inclined in favour of either nation, another combat took place in the sixth year, in the course of which, just as the battle was growing warm, day was on a sudden changed into night. This event had been foretold by Thales, the Milesian, who forewarned the Ionians [Lydians] of it, fixing for it the very year in which it actually took place. The Medes and Lydians, when they observed the change, ceased fighting, and were alike anxious to have terms of peace agreed on.
Not exactly doomsday, but people were upset.