Mathematician · 360 – 415

Hypatia

Little-Known Facts

  • Her students included future bishops, who corresponded with her with deep respect.
  • No works survive under her own name; her contributions are known mainly through her students and later writers.

Myths & Misconceptions

Was Hypatia killed for her science?

Her murder arose from Alexandria's violent political and religious factionalism; she was caught in a power struggle, though she became a symbol of reason destroyed by intolerance.