116 records of UFOs pre 16th Century

Please feel free to add missing ones in the comments.

Edit: just seen there’s repetition at the end so its more like 102 records, apologies.

1440 BCE, Egypt: Tulli Papyrus – During the reign of Thutmose III, a “circle of fire” brighter than the sun hovered in the sky, emitting a foul odor. It appeared for several days before vanishing. 218 BCE, Rome: Livy – “Phantom ships” were seen gleaming in the sky over various parts of Rome. 214 BCE, Rome: Livy – A round shield-like object appeared in the sky over Arpi, moving slowly. 76 BCE, Rome: Julius Obsequens – A “spark” fell from a star and grew as it descended, appearing as a ball of light and moving towards the earth. 66 BCE, Rome: Pliny the Elder – A burning shield scattering sparks moved across the sky at sunset, seen by many in Rome. 74 BCE, Turkey: Plutarch – During a battle between Roman and Mithridatic forces, a large, flame-like object resembling a jar or wine bowl appeared in the sky between the two armies. 85 BCE, Rome: Julius Obsequens – A large, round object moved eastward in the sky, observed by many. 12 BCE, Rome: Julius Obsequens – A comet-like object with a long tail was seen moving across the sky. 9 CE, Rome: Pliny the Elder – A burning shield scattering sparks moved across the sky at sunset, similar to earlier reports. 70 CE, Jerusalem: Josephus – During the siege of Jerusalem, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen running about among the clouds. 80 CE, Rome: Cassius Dio – A horse-like object with legs was seen moving across the sky. 99 CE, Greece: Pliny the Younger – An unidentified object resembling a wine jar appeared in the sky and moved erratically. 393 CE, Constantinople: Procopius – A luminous body resembling a comet hovered in the sky for several days. 776 CE, France: Siege of Sigiburg – Two large glowing objects hovered over a church, causing the Saxon besiegers to flee in panic. 793 CE, England: Anglo-Saxon Chronicle – Strange fiery dragons were seen flying in the sky, heralding disaster. 810 CE, France: St. Gregory of Tours – A glowing object was seen moving across the sky, described as a sign from God. 840 CE, France: Agobard of Lyons – Reports of strange lights in the sky, interpreted as supernatural omens. 842 CE, China: Emperor Wuzong of Tang – A strange object resembling a star appeared, moving erratically and terrifying the populace. 900 CE, Japan: Nihon Shoki – A strange flying object was seen during the reign of Emperor Daigo, described as a glowing sphere. 919 CE, Hungary: Annales Fuldenses – A fiery object was seen in the sky, interpreted as an omen of war. 927 CE, Spain: Chronicle of Alfonso III – Strange lights were seen in the sky during the reign of Alfonso III, causing widespread fear. 989 CE, Japan: Azuma Kagami – A fiery object was seen moving across the sky, recorded as a celestial event. 1015 CE, Japan: Tale of Genji – A bright object was seen in the sky, described as a harbinger of significant events. 1034 CE, England: Peterborough Chronicle – Fiery lights were seen in the sky, interpreted as signs of impending disaster. 1054 CE, China: Records of the Song Dynasty – A guest star (supernova) was visible in the daytime sky for several weeks, noted by astronomers. 1133 CE, Japan: Hyaku Monogatari – An object resembling a flying dragon was seen in the sky, interpreted as a mythical creature. 1200 CE, England: Gervase of Canterbury – A cloud shaped like a dragon moved across the sky, sparking fear and speculation. 1235 CE, Japan: The Tale of the Heike – A mysterious object was seen in the sky during the night, described as a glowing sphere. 1254 CE, England: Matthew Paris – A large, bright object was seen moving slowly across the sky, recorded in detail by the chronicler. 1290 CE, England: Byland Abbey – Monks saw a silver disc fly over the abbey, causing great excitement and fear. 1320 CE, Ireland: Annals of Ulster – A fiery object was seen in the sky, interpreted as a portent of war. 1347 CE, Europe: Black Death – Various accounts of strange lights in the sky, often associated with the onset of the plague. 1387 CE, England: Thomas Walsingham – A fire in the sky was seen near North Walsham, causing widespread panic. 1453 CE, Constantinople: Fall of Constantinople – Reports of a glowing cross in the sky during the city’s final siege. 1461 CE, France: Gaspar Nunez de Arce – A bright light appeared in the sky over Arras, interpreted as a divine sign. 1561 CE, Germany: Nuremberg – Residents observed an aerial battle with objects of various shapes and sizes, recorded in a famous woodcut. 1566 CE, Switzerland: Basel – Another report of an aerial battle with strange objects in the sky, described in contemporary records. 1619 CE, Switzerland: Geneva – A large, bright object hovered in the sky for several hours, recorded by local observers. 1639 CE, USA: Massachusetts – John Winthrop recorded a strange light moving over the Charles River, described as a glowing sphere. 1643 CE, England: Hull – A large, bright object was seen in the sky, causing fear and speculation. 1134 CE, Japan: Tale of the Bamboo Cutter – A mysterious object descends from the sky, interpreted as a celestial visitor. 214 BCE, Greece: Livy – A torch was seen moving in the sky, observed by many citizens. 331 BCE, Rome: Pliny the Elder – A spark of fire from the sky seen during the construction of the Temple of Jupiter. 154 BCE, Rome: Julius Obsequens – A bright light appeared in the sky over Rome, moving erratically. 138 BCE, Rome: Livy – Fiery torches were seen moving across the sky in Rome. 134 BCE, Rome: Julius Obsequens – A large, bright object moved across the sky, witnessed by many. 42 BCE, Rome: Cassius Dio – A bright comet appeared in the sky, seen as an omen of Julius Caesar’s death. 12 BCE, Rome: Pliny the Elder – A bright comet appeared in the sky, interpreted as a sign of Augustus’s rise to power. 65 CE, Jerusalem: Josephus – A star resembling a sword hung over the city, seen as a portent of war. 155 CE, China: Han Shu – A strange star appeared in the sky, moving erratically and emitting light. 194 CE, China: Records of the Han Dynasty – A bright object appeared in the sky, moving northward. 292 CE, China: Jin Shu – A glowing object appeared in the sky, seen as a sign of celestial displeasure. 312 CE, Rome: Eusebius – Emperor Constantine saw a cross of light in the sky, leading him to convert to Christianity. 334 CE, India: Mahabharata – A flying object described as a “Vimana” seen in the sky during a battle. 400 CE, India: Ramayana – Descriptions of flying chariots called “Pushpaka Vimana” used by gods and heroes. 457 CE, France: Gregory of Tours – A glowing sphere appeared in the sky, causing fear among the populace. 584 CE, Japan: Nihon Shoki – A bright object was seen in the sky during the reign of Emperor Bidatsu. 591 CE, China: Sui Shu – A fiery object appeared in the sky, moving erratically. 619 CE, Japan: Nihon Shoki – A strange object was seen in the sky during the reign of Emperor Jomei. 685 CE, England: Venerable Bede – Strange lights were seen in the sky, interpreted as celestial signs. 700 CE, Japan: Nihon Shoki – A glowing object appeared in the sky, moving slowly. 721 CE, Japan: Nihon Shoki – A bright object was seen in the sky during the reign of Emperor Genshō. 746 CE, China: Tang Dynasty Records – A fiery object appeared in the sky, moving rapidly. 800 CE, Japan: Shoku Nihongi – A bright object was seen in the sky during the reign of Emperor Kammu. 810 CE, Japan: Nihon Koki – A glowing sphere appeared in the sky, moving slowly. 820 CE, China: Tang Dynasty Records – A strange object resembling a dragon appeared in the sky. 850 CE, England: Anglo-Saxon Chronicle – Fiery lights were seen in the sky, interpreted as omens. 900 CE, Spain: Chronicle of Alfonso III – A fiery object was seen moving across the sky, causing fear among the people. 950 CE, China: Song Dynasty Records – A bright object appeared in the sky, moving erratically. 970 CE, Japan: Shoku Nihongi – A glowing object was seen in the sky during the reign of Emperor Reizei. 987 CE, China: Song Shi – A fiery object appeared in the sky, interpreted as a bad omen. 1004 CE, Japan: Konjaku Monogatari – A strange object was seen in the sky during the reign of Emperor Ichijō. 1021 CE, China: Song Dynasty Records – A bright object moved across the sky, causing fear and speculation. 1036 CE, Japan: Konjaku Monogatari – A glowing sphere appeared in the sky, interpreted as a celestial sign. 1054 CE, China: Records of the Song Dynasty – A guest star (supernova) was visible in the daytime sky for several weeks. 1100 CE, Japan: Gukanshō – A bright object was seen in the sky, described as a harbinger of significant events. 1147 CE, England: Anglo-Saxon Chronicle – Strange lights were seen in the sky, interpreted as omens of war. 1168 CE, Japan: Heike Monogatari – A mysterious object was seen in the sky during the night. 1180 CE, Japan: Konjaku Monogatari – A glowing sphere appeared in the sky, interpreted as a celestial sign. 1201 CE, Japan: Shoku Nihongi – A bright object was seen in the sky, causing fear and speculation. 1211 CE, England: Matthew Paris – A large, bright object was seen moving slowly across the sky. 1226 CE, China: Song Shi – A fiery object appeared in the sky, interpreted as a bad omen. 1230 CE, Japan: Azuma Kagami – A strange object was seen in the sky during the reign of Emperor Go-Horikawa. 1240 CE, England: Matthew Paris – A bright object was seen in the sky, described in detail by the chronicler. 1250 CE, Japan: Konjaku Monogatari – A glowing sphere appeared in the sky, causing fear among the people. 1260 CE, China: Yuan Dynasty Records – A bright object appeared in the sky, moving erratically. 1271 CE, Japan: Heike Monogatari – A mysterious object was seen in the sky during the night. 1295 CE, England: Thomas Walsingham – A fire in the sky was seen near North Walsham. 1305 CE, China: Yuan Shi – A fiery object appeared in the sky, interpreted as a bad omen. 1311 CE, Japan: Azuma Kagami – A bright object was seen in the sky, causing fear among the people. 1320 CE, England: Chronicle of Lanercost – A strange object resembling a dragon moved across the sky. 1333 CE, Japan: Taiheiki – A mysterious object was seen in the sky during the night. 1350 CE, China: Ming Dynasty Records – A glowing object appeared in the sky, moving slowly. 1365 CE, Japan: Gukanshō – A bright object was seen in the sky, interpreted as a harbinger of significant events. 1377 CE, England: Thomas Walsingham – A fire in the sky was seen near North Walsham. 1387 CE, England: Thomas Walsingham – A bright object was seen in the sky, interpreted as a bad omen. 1400 CE, China: Ming Shi – A fiery object appeared in the sky, moving rapidly. 1420 CE, Japan: Gukanshō – A glowing sphere appeared in the sky, causing fear among the people. 1453 CE, Constantinople: Fall of Constantinople – Reports of a glowing cross in the sky during the city’s final siege. 1461 CE, France: Gaspar Nunez de Arce – A bright light appeared in the sky over Arras, interpreted as a divine sign.

Alexander the Great reportedly witnessed unexplained aerial phenomena during his military campaigns. Here are two notable incidents:

329 BCE, Phoenicia: During the siege of Tyre, it was reported that “flying shields” (described as shining silver discs) appeared in the sky. One of these objects reportedly fired a beam of light at the city wall, causing it to crumble, which allowed Alexander’s army to breach the defenses and capture the city. 327 BCE, India: While Alexander’s army was crossing the Jhelum River to face Porus, his soldiers reported seeing “great, shining, silver shields” in the sky. These objects supposedly flew in formation, terrifying the troops.

Specific to Greek-Rome transition in Mediterranean

480 BCE, Greece: During the Greco-Persian Wars, Greek historian Herodotus wrote about a strange event where “shields of light” appeared in the sky over the battlefield of Salamis. These glowing shields were said to have frightened the Persian navy. 343 BCE, Rome: Roman historian Livy recorded an event where a “globe of fire” appeared in the sky over the city of Rome, emitting bright light and terrifying the citizens. 214 BCE, Rome: Livy also documented a sighting where “an altar in the sky” was seen accompanied by strange lights and sounds. 170 BCE, Rome: Livy described “a great fleet of ships” that appeared in the sky during the daytime. These “ships” moved across the sky and were witnessed by many people. 163 BCE, Syria: During the Maccabean Revolt, Jewish historian Josephus mentioned “heavenly chariots and troops” seen running in the clouds over Syria. 100 BCE, Italy: Julius Obsequens, a Roman writer, compiled numerous accounts of prodigies, including “a spark” falling from a star that grew as it descended, eventually appearing as a large glowing sphere. 99 BCE, Rome: Another account by Obsequens mentions a “round shield, burning and emitting sparks” that moved across the sky at sunset. 85 BCE, Rome: Obsequens documented another event where a “large, round object” appeared in the sky, moved eastward, and caused great consternation. 66 BCE, Rome: Pliny the Elder mentioned a “spark” that fell from a star and increased in size as it approached the Earth, resembling a burning shield. 42 BCE, Rome: Cassius Dio recorded a comet that was seen in the sky during the aftermath of Julius Caesar’s assassination, interpreted as a divine sign. 12 BCE, Rome: Another significant celestial event was the appearance of a bright comet, which was interpreted as a sign of Augustus’s rise to power. 65 CE, Jerusalem: Jewish historian Josephus documented a star resembling a sword that hung over the city of Jerusalem, seen as a portent of the city’s coming destruction. 312 CE, Rome: Eusebius wrote about Emperor Constantine seeing a cross of light in the sky before the Battle of Milvian Bridge. This event led to Constantine’s conversion to Christianity. 393 CE, Constantinople: Procopius recorded that “a luminous body resembling a comet” hovered in the sky for several days, causing fear among the people.