31 5 / 2012
Hypatia (ca. 350-370-415) was a Greek Neoplatonist philosopher in Alexandria. She was the first historically noted female mathematician, and also taught astronomy for the Platonist school in Alexandria. While she was an important figure in the intellectual and political community of Alexandria, her specific contributions to mathematics and the sciences are unknown. The Suda, a 10th century Byzantine encyclopedia, describes the following event where Hypatia rejects a suitor:
She was so very beautiful and attractive that one of those who attended her lectures fell in love with her. He was not able to contain his desire, but he informed her of his condition. Ignorant reports say that Hypatia relieved him of his disease by music; but truth proclaims that music failed to have any effect. She brought some of her female rags and threw them before him, showing him the signs of her unclean origin, and said, “You love this, O youth, and there is nothing beautiful about it.” His soul was turned away by shame and surprise at the unpleasant sight, and he was brought to his right mind. Such was Hypatia, both skillful and eloquent in words and prudent and civil in deeds.
Accused of witchcraft and straining the relations between Romans and Christians, Hypatia was brutally murdered by a Christian mob during Lent in 415 AD.
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