Was not Hypatia the greatest philosopher of Alexandria, and a true martyr to the old values of learning? She was torn to pieces by a mob of incensed Christians not because she was a woman, but because her learning was so profound, her skills at dialectic so extensive that she reduced all who queried her to embarrassed silence. They could not argue with her, so they murdered her.
―Iaian Pears, The Dream of Scipio
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Some people say knowledge is a dangerous thing—and in the case of the woman philosopher, Hypatia of Alexandria, they would be right. Her story as one of the most meaningful intellectuals of the Byzantine Empire is both inspiring and terrifying, providing a glimpse at a time when science was viewed with skepticism and outright resentment. Born around 355, Hypatia was the leading mathematician and astronomer of her time and the first woman to make her…
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What a shocking tale…
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Hypatia is one of the great heroes of reason! I really like the recent movie about her. “Agora” takes some liberties with sources, but still is a powerful movie about Hypatia, with great Rachel Weisz.
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I haven’t had a chance to see it yet, but it’s high up in my list. She is one of my greatest idols!
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