Hypatia of Alexandria

Hypatia of Alexandria (370-415 CE) Professor of Philosophy, daughter of Greek geometrician Theon who was the last librarian of The Great Library of Alexandria. He was a scholar and Professor of mathematics at the University of Alexandria.

Hypatia was raised by Theon in an environment of education and learning, this developed Hypatia's enthusiasm for mathematics and sciences at a time when such things were considered heresy by the Christians. Hypatia is believed to have surpassed her father's knowledge at a young age. At this time it was very unusual for any woman to receive a formal education. She had a firm belief in the importance of education.

She was the first woman to make a substantial contribution to the development of mathematics as well as being the world's leading astronomer and a noted authority on algebra and the works of Plato.

Hypatia of Alexandria
Professor of Philosophy, Mathematician
Astronomer, Writer and Scientist

Author of "The Astronomical Canon" and a commentary on "The Conics of Apollonius" which divided cones into different parts by a plane. This concept developed the ideas of hyperbolas, ellipses and parabolas.

She perfected and invented devices such as the Astrolabe, the Planosphere, plus many other astronomical devices. Hypatia also invented the Hydroscope which was used to view objects below the surface of the water.

The Christian Bishops saw her as a sorceress. Years later, Raphael was instructed to remove her from his masterwork, "The School of Athens" because she caused the Bishop of Rome to give himself bad feelings (which he blamed on her).

She was brutally murdered by fundamentalist Christians under the leadership of Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria. The Christians smashed and burned everything in the library and then turned on the scholars, especially the women. Those who escaped the Christian carnage were pursued and slaughtered for years afterwards.

Hypatia was hacked to death by Christians on Lentern Day 415BCE. She was wrestled from her carriage, disrobed by the Christian monks and tortured to death by having her flesh flayed by sharp tiles and oyster shells.

The same demonic mindset still infests many fundamentalist Christians of the religious right today.