Historical Women of Power III: Hypatia of Alexandria

When we imagine life in the classical period, especially the most notable discoveries of the time, we often imagine the illustrious men of the time - their contributions to science, philosophy, and the arts. However, one woman stands out as a firebrand for intelligent ancient women and broke the patriarchial mold to make her mark on history - Hypatia. 

Hypatia was born in Alexandria, in Eygpt, in around 370 CE. She was the daughter of Theon, a distinguished scholar who taught mathematics at Alexandria. It was from her father that Hypatia discovered her passion for learning, and sought to master multiple disciplines. Mathematics, astronomy, history, philosophy, geometry: Hypatia learned them all under her father's tutelage, and was a natural. Her growing reputation as a woman of science lead her reputation to almost separate from her father's, a concept unheard of in ancient Egypt. 

An illustration of the death of Hypatia at the hands of her accusers. 

Hypatia's achievements were all the more remarkable since she lived in the patriarchal society of Ancient Greece, where women's voices were frequently silenced. Women were excluded from education, and their roles were confined to domestic work, caregiving, and marriage. However, Hypatia refused to be restricted by her gender and fought tirelessly to gain recognition for her achievements. Hypatia was taught only by her father - a classically trained mathematician - and still managed to overshadow his academic reputation.

Hypatia's reputation grew, and students came from all over Greece to study under her. She became the head of the Platonist School of Alexandria, a position previously held by her father, and was known for her intelligence, wisdom, and eloquence. Hypatia was admired for her ability to convey complex scientific concepts in simple terms, and her lectures were attended by both men and women.

As a woman in a male-dominated society, Hypatia's public life was often the subject of scrutiny and criticism. Nevertheless, she remained unwavering in her convictions, and her feminist ideas were a constant source of inspiration to other women. She believed in equality for all and spoke out against the oppression of women at a time when this was a radical idea. However, her ideas were disliked by some powerful people of the time, and her intelligence threatened many theologians and philosophers. 

Hypatia's life came to a tragic end in 415 AD, when she was murdered by a mob of Christian zealots who accused her of promoting pagan ideas. Her murderers stripped her naked in the street and tore her flesh from her bones. It was a horrific end for a brilliant woman who had devoted her life to the pursuit of knowledge and the advancement of women's position in classical society. 

Despite her short life, Hypatia's legacy as an intelligent feminist woman of classical Greece endures. She remains a symbol of strength and resilience, a woman who stood up against the patriarchal norms of her time and became a role model for countless generations of women who came after her.

In conclusion, Hypatia's life is a testament to the power of human intellect and the unyielding spirit of feminist women. Her story is a reminder that there were remarkable women in ancient times, who made invaluable contributions to the world despite facing gender discrimination. I write this on the 8th of March, and as we celebrate International Women's Day, let us take a moment to honor Hypatia and other feminist trailblazers whose legacy continues to inspire us to this day.

Happy IWD, I'll see y'all on the next one!