The Saros number (http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/SEsaros/SEsaros1-175.html) of the solar eclipse series which began on -2069October 2 and ended on -572 March 18. The duration of Saros series 30 was 1496.5 years, and it contained 84 solar eclipses.
The Saros number (http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEsaros/LEsaros1-175.html) of the lunar eclipse series which began on -1803June 19 and ended on -487 August 18. The duration of Saros series 30 was 1316.2 years, and it contained 74 lunar eclipses.
The Thirty are first mentioned in Legend, Gemmell's first book, but like most of the characters in that novel it is not their first chronological appearance.
All the members of the Thirty are especially chosen for their mental powers however, and like all source priests they share the talents of astral projection and telepathy.
Chronologically, the highlight of the Thirty was under the leadership of Serbitar at the Siege of Dros Delnoch (Legend) yet by the time of the final book, The Swords of Night and Day, it is clear that the order has been in decline for some time.