Hypatia, the First Step

Hypatia, an Alexandrian woman, is known for many things, all of which were very impressive considering the time period in which she lived, 350-370 AD. She is not only famous for her successes but also is known for the brutal way she died, for she was murdered by Zealots.

Zealots, also known as Christian fanatics, were a group of people who resisted the Romans and despised Jews who wanted peace with them. This political movement was responsible for the death of around 10,000 Jewish people. Zealots either murdered or sold into slavery these people as punishment for not following them. Hypatia was one of the victims of murder. The Zealots killed Hypatia because of her influence on philosophy and astronomy that went against the views of Bishop Cyril which the Zealots followed. Hypatia’s death was highly significant because it marked the end of the feud between the Christians and the Romans.

Before her demise, Hypatia had accomplished much. She was known as an impeccable speaker and scholar. Her knowledge of mathematics and astronomy was also flawless. For example, Hypatia invented the astrolabe, a device that allows one to find the latitude by measuring the angles on a vertical plane, which then qualifies ships to sail afar by reducing the chances of getting lost. It is also said that she also invented the hydrometer, a device that measures a fluid's density.

Hypathia’s ability to gain such advanced education was all thanks to her father, Theon of Alexandria. Theon was the keeper of a library in Egypt as well as a mathematician and astronomer who worked as a teacher at the Museum of Alexandria. With an influential father who enjoyed a high social status, Hypatia was educated in the subjects of literature, arts, science, mathematics, and philosophy, and she grew to be a curious scholar. Theon thought that, by teaching his daughter, he would create a “perfect human,” which to him meant someone mentally and physically healthy.

Hypatia was one of the first women to learn and practice a “man’s” job. She was among the pioneers that began shifting the ideals of a woman in society, demonstrating that women can be just as smart as men and advocating for the freedom to express one’s thoughts. Hypatia believed and said, “Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all.” To this day, Hypatia’s public voice perpetuates in female advocacy and scientific thought benefits advance mathematics and astronomy thoeries. Although her life was cut short by her death, her beliefs and accompliashments served as the stepping stone for women to have more opportunities and freedoms. 

*This article was originally published on the Stem Explorers (STEMx) website www.stemexplorers.net and submitted by the author to Broncology.

References

Hilfrank, Elizabeth. “Hypatia.” National Geographic Kids, 25 Feb. 2021, https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/women-heroes/article/hypatia. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023. 

Adair, Ginny. “Hypatia.” Agnes Scott College, 26 Apr. 2023, www.mathwomen.agnesscott.org/women/hypatia.htm. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.  

“The Great Mathematician: Hypatia of Alexandria.” Cuemath, 2023, www.cuemath.com/learn/mathematics/geometry-hypatia-of-alexandria. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.