Hypatia (ca. AD 350–370–March 415) was a Greek Neoplatonist philosopher in Roman Egypt who was the first notable woman in mathematics. As head of the Platonist school at Alexandria (and last librarian of the Library of Alexandria in the Museum of Alexandria), she also taught philosophy and astronomy…where she imparted the knowledge of Plato and Aristotle to any student; the pupils included pagans, Christians, and foreigners. Unfortunately, Hypatia is also famous for having been murdered by Christians fanatics as “devoted at all times to magic, astrolabes, and instruments of music.” She was an intelligent and educated female, and a pagan, in an increasingly Christian environment. This is why her violent murder has been by many symbolically considered the clear beginning of the Dark Age.

Hypatia (ca. AD 350–370–March 415) was a Greek Neoplatonist philosopher in Roman Egypt who was the first notable woman in mathematics. As head of the Platonist school at Alexandria (and last librarian of the Library of Alexandria in the Museum of Alexandria), she also taught philosophy and astronomy…where she imparted the knowledge of Plato and Aristotle to any student; the pupils included pagans, Christians, and foreigners.

Unfortunately, Hypatia is also famous for having been murdered by Christians fanatics as “devoted at all times to magic, astrolabes, and instruments of music.”

She was an intelligent and educated female, and a pagan, in an increasingly Christian environment. This is why her violent murder has been by many symbolically considered the clear beginning of the Dark Age.

Posted on 7 January, 2012, 6:33pm.