Hypatia of Alexandria

About

Hypatia of Alexandria was a renowned mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher of the 4th and 5th centuries. Born between 350 and 370 AD, she was the daughter of Theon of Alexandria, a mathematician and astronomer. Hypatia became the head of the Platonist school in Alexandria around 400 AD, where she taught philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy. Her teachings were deeply rooted in Neoplatonism, a philosophical doctrine that emphasized the pursuit of an ultimate reality. Hypatia's contributions to mathematics include commentaries on Apollonius of Perga's Conics and Diophantus's Arithmetic. Although her works have been lost, her influence as a teacher and scholar was significant. Her death in 415 AD, at the hands of a Christian mob, marked a turning point in Alexandrian intellectual life. Despite her tragic end, Hypatia remains a symbol of intellectual pursuit and feminist icon, celebrated for her dedication to learning and her impact on the history of mathematics and philosophy.