HYPATHIA
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Hypathia was a Hellenistic Neoplatonist philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician. Ancient sources record that Hypatia was widely beloved by pagans and Christians alike and that she established great influence with the political elite in Alexandria. Hypatia (born c. 350–370; died 415 AD) lived in Alexandria, Egypt, then part of the Eastern Roman Empire. She was the daughter of the mathematician Theon of Alexandria and a prominent thinker of the Neoplatonic school in Alexandria, where she taught philosophy and astronomy. She is the first female mathematician whose life is reasonably well recorded. Hypatia was renowned in her own lifetime as a great teacher and a wise counselor. Ancient sources record that Hypatia was widely beloved by pagans and Christians alike and that she established great influence with the political elite in Alexandria. Towards the end of her life, Hypatia advised Orestes, the Roman prefect of Alexandria, who was in the midst of a political feud with Cyril, the bishop of Alexandria. Rumors spread accusing her of preventing Orestes from reconciling with Cyril and, in March 415 AD, she was murdered by a mob of Christians led by a lector named Peter. Music: Catherine Capozzi Lyrics: Christina Goh |
