Hypatia

Hypatia of Alexandria, a woman of mathematics and philosophy, known to be the first woman to study and make tremendous efforts in mathematics. Hypatia lived from 370-415 according to The History of Mathematics, by James Burton. Other sources claim similar birth and death years. During this time period ,Romans were in reining positions and were beginning to convert Christianity. Hypatia was the daughter of Theon of Alexandria, which I have understood to also be her teacher. Hypatia learned medicine, mathematics, and philosophy from her father. During this time period, women did not study. Women were considered inferior, but whenever a woman who knew what she was talking about spoke ingenious ideas, that men who had also studied mathematics did not know about, people were blown away.

Hypatia made great strides in mathematics, and we known this by her writings. She wrote a "commentary on the first six books of Diophantus's Arithmetica, as well as a treatise on Apollonius's Conic Sections. She had a high level of knowledge on astronomical discoveries, which she learned from her father, and edited the Almagest, written by the great astronomer Claudius Ptolemy.

Although she appeared to be a very smart woman, she lacked common sense. Alexandria was in a religious battle, and Hypatia fought against Christianity. The government wanted all people to practice Christianity. But until it became a legal religion, Hypatia did not have to practice it. As a woman in this time, she should have followed Christianity to keep the peace with her government officials. However, stubborn Hypatia did not. She was an "unquestioned" leader of the neo-Platonic school of philosophy, and lectured against Christianity. Along with those lectures, she also spoke about mathematics and philosophy, and distinguished people wanted to hear what she had to say.  A student of hers, philosopher Synesius, spoke of Hypatia in the highest terms considering her to be  like a "mother, sister, and reverend teacher," and praised her for her teachings and virtue.

Although we do not know many details of Hypatia's life, we know more about her death. Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, did not like Hypatia lecturing to Christians if she was a non Christian. Through my research, I found that the followers of Cyril spread rumors that Hypatia was drawing large crowds to her lecture hall and explaining paganism, a belief that is not Christian. We do not know if she was actually preaching paganism or not, records have been lost. One day, after a lecture, Hypatia was attacked by a crowd of religious zealots, similar to loyal religious protesters. She was reported to be slashed by sharp oyster shells, and torn limb from limb, then burnt.

Some historians believe that Hypatia's death represented the opposition between science and religion today, and others argue that her death had nothing to do with religion or science, but government. Personally, I believe her death symbolizes that restrictions that government has over religion. As a free country we are able to practice any religion we choose to, but there is a push for Catholicism and Christianity. However, the government allows other religions to be practiced here, and are making advances in not having Christianity/Catholicism as a major religion. Hypatia stands for the minor religions of this country, the ones that we may deem unfit to practice, but everyone has that freedom. The government and the schools are the religious mobs. There are Christian holidays celebrated in workplaces and schools, and there are Christian names on government documents. As a Christian, I do not mind these traditions, but if I were Hindu, I would feel like Hypatia in my own country.

Hypatia is known as the first women mathematician for her astounding writings, and controversial lectures. Although we do not know much of her life, we know that her death symbolizes the conflicts of government, science, and religion today.