First mention of UFOs from time of Romans?

All the time we hear about sensational reports of observation of unidentified flying objects – UFOs. As it turns out, the ancient writers also left us interesting accounts.

In 218 BCE, according to Livy, a huge fleet of ships was seen in the sky near Rome¹.

Pliny the Elder, in turn, says that in 76 BCE the flame of the star’s fire was to be seen in the sky, which fell to the size of the moon as it fell. Then he ascended back to heaven and transformed into light².

According to Plutarch of Chaeronea, an interesting phenomenon was to take place in 74 BCE, before the battle between the armies of Lukullus and Mithridates VI in Asia. A large object in the sky between the armies appeared in flames, in the shape of a wine vessel (pithos) and in molten silver colour³.

Those accounts can easily be considered as the first reference to UFOs.

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Rome’s wars with Mithridates VI Lucius Licinius Lucullus Second Punic War Gallic Wars