Alexandria mathematician; Theon’s daughter Hypatia lived between AD 370-415. His father’s work (given today’s developments); although it has been described as “small”, “worthless” and “unoriginal.” But the works of Hypatia; made him one of the most well-known scientists of his time.
According to Damascius (458-538), who wrote the biography of Hypatia; He gave lectures on the writings of Hypatia, Plato, and Aristotle. Socrates, a Christian historian from Constantinople, a contemporary of Hypatia, described Hypatia as “someone who achieved great success in literature and science and was far ahead of all the philosophers of his time”.
The ‘philosopher’ Hypatia is said to wear a cloak and sometimes teach improvisation. Hypatia taught many students from all over the Mediterranean, including Synesius, one of the Bishops of Ptolemais’s time.
Neoplatonist dusunme his style
Hypatia stood out among her peers with her philosophy and mathematical findings. He became the head of the Platonist school in Alexandria. And he taught rich men of different religions (all of his students are male). He was careful to take sides against the power struggle around Hypatia.
And he made sure he had friends on both sides. Because of such situations, Hypatia chose to approach spirituality more closely. He preferred formal education instead of religious education. And it consolidated its pagan status. The popularity of Hypatia’s lectures, her reputation as a scientist, and her work brought both pride and jealousy (especially the envy of Cyril, the Bishop of Alexandria).
End of paganism
In March 415, paralaban gang members detained Hypatia, who was traveling, from her wagon and took her to the church. They brutally murdered and threw even their limbs into the fire. According to Soktares Scholasticus, this murder took place out of Hypatia’s political jealousy. But he did not take Hypatia’s paganism into account.
There was no evidence that Bishop Cyril gave a direct order to kill Hypatia. But the general belief is that Cyril ordered his infantry to kill Hypatia.
After the death of Hypatia, the Alexandria school was closed. And the intellectual concept of life is over. Alexandria, the last home of Hellenistic philosophy, has disappeared. And Cyril has strengthened the terror regime. Furthermore, he received no punishment for being involved in Hypatia’s murder.
The gang called Parabalani was reduced from 800 to 500 by the Roman Empire decree. While Cyril was hailed as a hero in the struggle of Christianity, Hypatia’s bringings have remained doomed to oblivion for more than four centuries.
Burak Huseyin Ekseli
