Hypatia of Alexandria

Hypatia (born c. 350–370, died 415 CE) was a mathematician, astronomer and Neoplatonist philosopher in Alexandria, the daughter of the mathematician Theon. She taught students, both pagan and Christian, and edited or commented on mathematical works, possibly including parts of Ptolemy's Almagest and works on conic sections. She was respected by the city's elite and advised its leaders.

In 415 CE, during a bitter political conflict between the Roman prefect Orestes and the bishop Cyril, Hypatia, seen as an ally of Orestes, was killed by a mob of Christians. Historians debate the causes, emphasizing political rivalry and local violence rather than a simple clash between science and religion. Her story has been retold many times, sometimes inaccurately, as a symbol of the end of ancient learning.

What is clear is that she was one of the most respected teachers of her age and one of the best-documented women in ancient philosophy and mathematics.