Hypatia of Alexandria

There was a woman at Alexandria named Hypatia, daughter of the philosopher Theon, who made such attainments in literature and science, as to far surpass all the philosophers of her own time. Having succeeded to the school of Plato and Plotinus, she explained the principles of philosophy to her auditors, many of whom came from a distance to receive her instructions. On account of the self-possession and ease of manner, which she had acquired in consequence of the cultivation of her mind, she not unfrequently appeared in public in presence of the magistrates. Neither did she feel abashed in going to an assembly of men. For all men on account of her extraordinary dignity and virtue admired her the more.

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—Socrates Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History

After I have seen movie of Agora, I really admire Hypatia as a person and as woman for her grace and eloquence, of beauty and wisdom.  Interestingly there is an opinion stated that she was born before her time and she died before her time, but I would say she was indeed born and  lived at her right time.  Because through her works, she had accomplished and brought enlightenment in astronomy, mathematic, and philosophies.   Without her works, knowledge today would have  different story,  such as earth circles the sun in form of oval orbit instead of round, in which it explains the weather seasons.

As Hypatia lived during the late 4^th, early 5^th centuries – a time of great change; she had chosen her life different than normal.  She remained single until her death, in order to pursue her passion in sciences. She also taught in prestige school for future leaders of upper class society at that time, which shown her knowledge were recognized and appreciated by patriarchy society. 

It’s a pity she had to die caused of  a large Christian mob.  In the movie shown us that Hypatia had been died before mob could do horrible things on her body, but history told us different,  some sources told that Hypatia had been seized on the street, beaten her, and dragged her body to a church where they mutilated her flesh with sharp tiles and burned her remains. It is sad to know she had to die because she was both female and transcendentalist pagan in an increasingly Christian environment.

I have plenty of what-ifs in my head about Hypatia, what if she had lived in modern time then would she have done many great works for people; what if she had married to prominent man then would she have been survived from the threats; what if she was not a pagan, would she have been as bright as she was?  But history has written its story, whatever it ended, Hypatia had did something and remained a remarkable woman with tragic story.