Hypatia and the Persecution of the Pagans

Hypatia was born 350 AD, Egypt. She was the daughter of Theon, who was considered

to be a well-known and respected philosopher and scientist throughout Egypt. Some historians

believe that Theon wanted to raise the perfect human. It is apparent that she had developed a

passion for mathematics and sciences. Most historians are certain that Hypatia surpassed Theon’s

knowledge at a young age. Her father also taught her the fundamentals of teaching so that she

became a very enticing orator.

Hypatia studied astrology, astronomy and mathematics. She was later credited by her

students of inventing the astrolabe. However this is very unlikely because the astrolabe was

dated a few centuries earlier. Historians believe she merely promoted the astrolabe’s use. In

addition, she studied conic sections, which were introduced by Apollonius. She wrote a book

called On the Conics of Apollonius. She was credited introducing ideas of ellipses, hyperbolas,

and parabolas.

 Hypatia with Astrolabe (the astrolabe

was used by astronomers, navigators, and astrologers, to find the time, place, and

positions of constellations in the sky)

At the end of the antique period, Christianity was starting to dominate the roman religion.

Riots frequently broke out between the different religious sects. Two leaders were opposing

each other, Cyril and Orestes. Hypatia, who happened to be a good friend of Orestes, was

unfortunately involved. Cyril spread nasty rumors about her. In 415 AD, a violent mob attacked

Hypatia on her way home. They apparently stripped her and killed her with shards of pottery,

then dragged her through the streets.


At this time Hypatia was one of many persecuted by the Christians, because she was

pagan. The Christians persecuted the pagans persecuted as much as the pagans persecuted them.

However not all Christians did this. Some were ambivalent and did not care. This example shows

how the Christians behaved when the tables were turned on the pagans.

Hypatia was also known as a philosopher, but not as much as her work on conic sections

Bibliography:

http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/history/Mathematicians/Hypatia.html

http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/hypatia.htm

http://www.astr.ua.edu/4000WS/HYPATIA.html

http://www.heretication.info/_pagans.html