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Rodriguez 1

Lidia Rodriguez

History of

Hypatia

There have been many people who have attributed to the world of mathematics throughout history. of Alexandria was the first known female . She was born in Alexandria, Egypt around 355 CE and died around 415 CE.1 Her father, Theon, a mathematician, philosopher, and a professor at the University of Alexandria taught her what he knew. He was her tutor and her teacher. As she grew, her father’s influences impacted her education.

To this day most of Hypatia’s early life is still unknown which includes information about her mother. This was not uncommon for this era. Her father, a scholar, educated Hypatia.

Her knowledge and field of study came primarily from him.2 Since Theon did not have a son, he wanted her to be perfect in his eyes, so he refused to raise her as a traditional woman. Along with educating Hypatia, he also taught her recreational sports such as swimming, horseback riding, and trained her to be fit and healthy.3 She grew to be have an understanding for mathematics, science (astronomy), and philosophy. She became his prodigy. He also encouraged her to understand the many beliefs that existed in the world. He was the reason she became to be a brilliant, intelligent, and the first woman to study and teach mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy.4

1 Deakin, Michael. “Hypatia, Mathematician and Astronomer” 2 Adair, Ginny. “Biographies of Women : Hypatia” 3 TheFamousPeople.com, “Hypatia Biography” 4 Zielinski, Sarah. “Hypatia, Ancient Alexandria’s Great Female Scholar” Rodriguez 2

Hypatia ran her own philosophical school in Alexandria.5 She lectured on mathematics and philosophy. The philosophy that she taught was of Neoplatonism. Neoplatonism, was founded by Plotinus and developed by Lamblichus. This kind of philosophy was identified as paganism. The school had both pagan and Christian students. One of her most famous students was Synesius of Cyrene, he wrote letters of Hypatia where he spoke highly of her teaching and scientific abilities. 6

With regards to her mathematical research, there was no evidence that Hypatia wrote anything herself. However, she helped her father on many papers and theories. She assisted him in writing ’s and producing a new version of ’s Elements.7 Alone she also wrote commentaries on ’ Arithmetica, Apollonius’ Conics, and on Ptolemy’s astronomical works. Unfortunately, a lot Hypatia’s work was lost except for its titles. 4

Besides the joint works with her father, the work that she edited on the Conics of

Apollonius, which divided cones into different parts by a plane, survived throughout mathematics. The concept developed the ideas of hyperbolas, parabolas, and ellipses. She made those concepts easier to understand, hence making the work survive through centuries. 8

Many of her work did not survive because Theophilus, the archbishop, destroyed the last of Alexandria’s great library. Hypatia lived in a time of strong Christian rule. Due to her philosophy, Neoplatonism, she was identified as pagan. Being Pagan in the era where

5 Falkner, Jennifer, “Hypatia of Alexandria” 6 J J O’Connor and E F Robertson. “Hypatia of Alexandria” 7 Shanyu, Ji. “History of Mathematics” 8 Adair, Ginny. “Biographies of Women Mathematicians: Hypatia” Rodriguez 3

Christianity ruled was not favored, but Hypatia didn’t let that sway her from her beliefs.9 She continued to speak publicly on her non-Christian philosophy.

In the early 390’s, riots happened frequently in Alexandria due to the multitude of religions. At the times of the riots, Cyril, the successor to Theophilus, was the Christian leader.10

Orestes oversaw the civil government and fought Cyril for control of Alexandria. Although

Orestes was a Christian he did not cede the powers to the church. The two men disagreed on who should lead and what should rule. Since the two did not reconcile, Cyril ordered monks to assassinate him, but they were not successful.

Since Hypatia and Orestes were friends, Cyril saw her as a target. Cyril wanted

Alexandria to be predominantly Christian and Hypatia was Pagan. Therefore, Cyril’s men organized a mob to attack her. 11 In the year 415, it is said that a Christian mob took possession of her while she was exiting her carriage and dragged her into a church. Inside, they stripped her, beat her to death with tiles, tore her body apart and burned it.9 Hypatia’s death was tragic and unbelievable.

Hypatia was an incredible woman who was not raised as a conventional and traditional woman in those years, because her father wanted her to be more. She followed his footsteps. Her work might have been lost through the disputes from a religious war, but from her pupils and rare works that survived, she lives on. Hypatia whose name means “supreme” was and will continue to be recognized for her contributions that set the foundations for many advancements in mathematics.

9 Zielinski, Sarah. “Hypatia, Ancient Alexandria’s Great Female Scholar” 10 Adair, Ginny. “Biographies of Women Mathematicians: Hypatia” 11 Zielinski, Sarah. “Hypatia, Ancient Alexandria’s Great Female Scholar” Rodriguez 4

Works Cited Adiar, Ginny.. Biographies of Women Mathematicians. 11 January 2017. Retrieved from Hypatia: https://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/hypatia.htm Deakin, Michael. “Hypatia.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 12 June 2018, Retrieved from: www.britannica.com/biography/Hypatia. Falkner, Jennifer. History in an Hour. 4 January 2013. Retrieved from Hypatia of Alexandria: http://www.historyinanhour.com/2013/01/04/hypatia-of-alexandria/ FamousPeople.com. TheFamousPeople.com. 4 August 2017. Retrieved from Hypatia: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/hypatia-31966.php Famous Scientists. famousscientists.org. 25 Jun. 2018. Retrieved from Hypatia: www.famousscientists.org/hypatia/ Ji, Shanyu. History of Mathematics. Mark, Joshua J. Ancient History Encyclopedia. 2 September 2009. Retrieved from Hypatia of Alexandria: https://www.ancient.eu/Hypatia_of_Alexandria/ Robertson, E F and Robertson, J. J. History from St. Andrews. 10 October 2018. Retrieved from Hypatia of Alexandria: http://www-history.mcs.st- andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Hypatia.html Young, Grace. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 17 January 2017. Retrieved from Mathematics in Ancient Egypt: https://www.britannica.com/science/mathematics/Mathematics-in- ancient-Egypt#ref536162 Zielinski, Sarah. Smithsonian. 14 March 2010. Retrieved from Hypatia, Ancient Alexandria's Great Female Scholar: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/hypatia-ancient- alexandrias-great-female-scholar-10942888/