Hypatia of Alexandria

Hypatia of Alexandria

Hypatia was born in 370 A.D. in Alexandria, Egypt. From that day on her life was one enriched with a passion for knowledge. Theon, Hypatia's father whom himself was a mathematician, raised Hypatia in an environment of thought. Both of them formed a strong bond as he taught her his own knowledge and shared his passion in the search of answers to the unknown. Under her fathers discipline he developed a physical routine for her to ensure a healthy body as well as a highly functional mind. Her father instructed her on the different religions of the world and how to influence people with the power of words. Also taught her the fundamentals of teaching so she could be a profound orator. From the teachings of her father, she to became a mathematician and philosopher which she was recognized the head of the Neo-Platonist school of philosophy at Alexandria. Due to her eloquence, modesty, and beauty, combined with her remarkable intellectual gifts, she attracted a large number of pupils. Her students were aristocratic young men, both Pagan and Christian, who rose to occupy influential civil and eccelestrastical positions. They considered Hypatia as their "divine guide" into the realm of philosophical and cosmic mysteries, which included mathematics. She combined the principles of free thinking and the ideal of pure living. She was known for her prudence, moderation, and self control, and for her ease of manner and her beauty. She was recognized as an eloquent teacher and by 390 A.D. her circle of influence was well-established. She also symbolized learning and science which in time of Western history were largely identified by early Christians with Paganism. As such, she was the focal point in the tension and riots between Christians and non-Christians that racked more than once in Alexandria. In this time Cyril roused negative sentiment toward Orestes and Orestes was attacked by 500 Nitrian monks. Due to Cyril and his negativity and what he caused to happen to Orestes, Hypatia fell victim to the political hostilities due to being a close associate of Orestes and was undoubtedly defamed by Cyril. Admiration for her became resentment and she was perceived as an obstacle to the conciliation of Orestes and Cyril. Being as that, Cyril began planning Hypatia's most crucial death. In 415 A.D., during Lent, while riding in her chariot through the streets of Alexandria, she was attacked upon by a fanatical mob of antipagan Christians. The mob dragged her into the Caesareum, then a Christian church where she was stripped naked and murdered. According to ancient accounts, her flesh was stripped from her bones, her body was mutilated and scattered throughout the streets, then burned piecemeal at a place called Cinaron. Due to her death many of her students migrated to Athens and the Neo-platonic school at Alexandria continued until the Arab invasion in 642 A.D. Although she died her life's work remained. Also later, Descartes, Newton, and Leibniz expanded on her work. The philosophers considered her a woman of great knowledge and an excellent teacher.

The studies of Hypatia included astronomy, astrology, and mathematics. Letters by Synesius, one of Hypatia's students, credited her with the invention of the astrolabe a device used in studying astronomy. She was known more for her work in mathematics than in astronomy. She edited the work On the Conics of Apollonius,