Hypatia, also known as Hypatia of Alexandria, was a famed inventor, astronomer, mathematician and philosopher from Egypt. Hypatia’s importance lies mainly in the fact that she was one of the first women in history to contribute to the development of mathematics. In addition to mapping celestial bodies, making a planisphere, Hypatia was interested in mechanics. Her known works, none of which are extant, were concerned with geometry and astronomy. Hypatia was the daughter of the mathematician and philosopher Theon of Alexandria and it is fairly certain that she studied mathematics under the guidance and instruction of her father. She became the victim of a particularly brutal murder at the hands of a gang of Christian zealots. In that time, there was a problem of power between church and state, Hypatia was inclined to the state and to have liberal thoughts and advanced philosophical and scientific viewpoints and for this reason she was seen as a pagan woman, and she was the subject of disturbances between Christians and non-Christians. Hypatia was the daughter of Theon, a practicing mathematician and teacher, and she was encouraged to develop her talents in the field. Neoplatonism and paganism both survived for centuries after her death. She became very famous and was known as “the philosopher“. She never accepted blackmail from Christians. Orestes faced the Christian Patriarch Cyril. Her unique character as a woman devoted to thought and teaching earned her general appreciation. Unfortunately, none of her works have been preserved. This biography profiles her childhood, family, personal life, contributions, accomplishments, death and other facts. She was the director of the Neoplatonic school in Alexandria, where she taught philosophy and astronomy. His father, Theon of Alexandria, was an important philosopher and mathematician who devoted himself to research and to teaching in the Alexandria Museum. No data is known about her mother. Theon wanted his daughter to receive a very complete scientific education, so she was educated in the Museum itself and became part of it until his death. Required fields are marked *. She also improved the design of primitive astrolabs. She also wrote books on geometry, algebra and astronomy and improved the design of primitive astrolabes. She made an important improvement of the astrolabe which improved its use in spherical astronomy. She supported gender equality and the same conditions for both men and women, believing that people should have cultural independence, social class and gender because they all had a soul. The murder of this brilliant woman was an oprobious crime for Christians. The house of Hipatia became a teaching place where students from all over the known world came, attracted by their fame. Hypatia was the first female Hellenistic Neoplatonist philosopher, astronomer and mathematician, who lived in Alexandria, Egypt, which was then part of the Eastern Roman Empire. This remarkable woman also dedicated herself to the teaching of philosophy, focusing on the works of Plato and Aristotle. She was the first woman philosopher and Greek teacher from Alexandria. She was the author of a “simplified” version of the Apollonius Conics, which she summarized in 8 books and she assisted her father in the revision of the Elements of Euclid, an edition that is currently used. Although Hipatia traveled to Athens and Italy to receive courses in philosophy, she was educated in the Museum itself and was part of it until her death. The writing style is extremely accessible. She traveled to Athens to study under Plutarch and his daughter Asclepegeneia. Click here if you want to see this biography in Spanish translation. Hypatia of Alexandria, circa 370 to 415 AD. In spite of being a woman full of physical and intellectual attributes, she refused to marry in order to dedicate herself completely to science. The assassination of Hipatia took place within the framework of Christian hostility towards the declining paganism, when this remarkable woman was barely 60 years old. In addition, her father and everything around her, transmitted the passion to work in the search for the unknown. This extraordinary woman wrote books on geometry, algebra and astronomy. Your email address will not be published. Some of his most important phrases are the following. She was the daughter of Theon who was a distinguished professor at the University of Alexandria. In March 415 AD, a mob of Christian Parabalani attacked her in the street. Apart from Hypatia's life, this book is also notable for painting a detailed picture of late-antique Alexandria and for showing how much information about an ancient figure can be teased out of indirect evidence about historical circumstances, parallel cases and similar. Booth notes that a massive number of new academic lecture halls were built in Alexandria at Kom el Dikka shortly after Hypatia's death, indicating that philosophy was clearly still taught in Alexandrian schools. Improvement of the pagan elite, remaining faithful to her old ideas and classic beliefs according to records the! Than 1,000 years until another exceptional astronomer appeared: Carolina Herschel of particularly. Select school of aristocrats who, over time, Theon wanted his daughter Asclepegeneia 370 to AD... For knowing the truth and improving knowledge beauty, hypatia also devoted herself to the teachings of her father Theon... 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