Hypatia...AD 350-370 to 415

[Goodrum]

Hypatia was the daughter of Theon, who was her teacher and the last known mathematician associated with the Museum of Alexandria.[16] She traveled to both Athens and Italy to study, before becoming head of the Platonist school at Alexandria in approximately 400.

According to the 10th century Byzantine encyclopedia the Suda, she worked as teacher of philosophy, teaching the works of Plato and Aristotle.
It is believed that there were both Christians and foreigners among her students.

Although Hypatia was herself a pagan, she was respected by a number of Christians, and later held up by Christian authors as a symbol of virtue.
The Suda controversially declared her "the wife of Isidore the Philosopher" but agreed she had remained a virgin.

Hypatia rebuffed a suitor by showing him her menstrual rags, claiming they demonstrated that there was "nothing beautiful" about carnal desires..

This is rather powerful stuff:

Hypatia maintained correspondence with her former pupil Synesius of Cyrene, who in AD 410 became bishop of Ptolemais.

Together with the references by Damascius, these are the only writings with descriptions or information from her pupils that survive.
The contemporary Christian historiographer Socrates Scholasticus described her in his Ecclesiastical History:

“ There was a woman at Alexandria named Hypatia, daughter of the philosopher Theon, who made such attainments in literature and science, as to far surpass all the philosophers of her own time.

Having succeeded to the school of Plato and Plotinus, she explained the principles of philosophy to her auditors, many of whom came from a distance to receive her instructions.

On account of the self-possession and ease of manner, which she had acquired in consequence of the cultivation of her mind, she not unfrequently appeared in public in presence of the magistrates.
Neither did she feel abashed in going to an assembly of men. For all men on account of her extraordinary dignity and virtue admired her the more. ”

—Socrates Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History

[Goodrum]

Works

Many of the works commonly attributed to Hypatia are believed to have been collaborative works with her father, Theon Alexandricus; this kind of authorial uncertainty being typical for the situation of feminine philosophy in Antiquity.

A partial list of specific accomplishments:

A commentary on the 13-volume Arithmetica by Diophantus.
A commentary on the Conics of Apollonius.
Edited the existing version of Ptolemy's Almagest.
Edited her father's commentary on Euclid's Elements

She wrote a text "The Astronomical Canon." (Possibly a new edition of Ptolemy's Handy Tables.)

Her contributions to science are reputed to include the charting of celestial bodies and the invention of the hydrometer, used to determine the relative density and gravity of liquids.

Her pupil Synesius, bishop of Cyrene, wrote a letter defending her as the inventor of the astrolabe, although earlier astrolabes predate Hypatia's model by at least a century - and her father had gained fame for his treatise on the subject

The number of times I have used a hydrometer....and often would think to myself what a nifty invention.

[Goodrum]

From Hypatia:

"Life is an unfoldment, and the further we travel, the more truth we comprehend. To understand the things that are at our door is the best preparation for understanding those that lie beyond."

The Important Life & Tragic Death of Hypatia

http://www.skyscript.co.uk/hypatia.html

Hypatia of Alexandria, a mathematician, was dragged from her carriage and savagely murdered by a Christian mob in 415CE. She is perhaps better remembered for how she died rather than the way in which she lived. However, Hypatia lived an extraordinary life as the pre-eminent mathematician, philosopher, astronomer and astrologer of her time.

It is not surprising that we have very little knowledge of Hypatia's life. Even in the early fifth century, Christian historians had achieved predominance and it is unlikely that they would have wanted to consign knowledge of this tragedy to history.
She was a strong supporter of free enquiry and her murder is believed by many to symbolise the end of an era of intellectual freedom.

Margaret Wertheim, in her excellent book 'Pythagoras' Trousers' states, "The great era of Greek mathematical science, which began with the birth of a man, finished with the death of a woman."

Hypatia was born at a time when attitudes to women were deeply influenced by the misogyny of Aristotelian philosophy. Although Plato, and Pythagoras before him, had believed in the intellectual equality of women and both philosophers had encouraged full education of women, Aristotle felt that they did not have the intellectual capabilities of their male counterparts.

It was due to the good fortune of having an enlightened father that Hypatia was able to rise above this misogyny and become one of the most educated and influential people of her time

As was the custom of the time, Hypatia wrote commentaries on popular works including those of Euclid and Ptolemy. However, the only certain trace of her literary activity is in her father Theon's commentary on Book Three of Ptolemy's 'Algamest', which Theon had stated was largely the work of his daughter.

She contributed to her father's texts on mathematics and astronomy, often compiling tables of the position of celestial bodies.

She was a profound orator and people travelled to hear her speak, often declaring her to be like her patron Minerva, the goddess of wisdom. She is considered by many to be the first woman to make considerable contributions to the science of mathematics

In a boiling mix of power and religion, Hypatia studied and taught with apparent equanimity to all. She welcomed anyone as a student, one of the most well known, and perhaps her best supporter, being the Christian Synesius who later became Bishop of Ptolemeis.

Hypatia was certainly a follower of Neoplatonic teachings but there is no clear indication that she was part of the push. She was simply a person who saw the value of being knowledgeable in many areas and lived her life to impart knowledge to others

I'm fleetingly wondering if Cyril was a healer!

In 412 a series of events occurred that made it increasingly difficult for Hypatia to remain safe. That year, Archbishop Theophilus died and his nephew Cyril, an extremist, succeeded him. While Theophilus did not approve of Hypatia, it appears that he had tolerated her. He had not moved against her in over thirty years of their co-existence, possibly because of his close friendship with Hypatia's student Synesius.

Not long after the death of Theophilus, Synesius died leaving Hypatia vulnerable to those who sought to divest Alexandria of her presence.

Cyril was a fanatic whose mission was to rid the city of Neoplatonists and Jews

Good grief.

[christina]

Awl.


I guess we don't have much information to go on....I tend to think she must have possessed a very strong will to overcome....the, , atmosphere. It seems like she aspired to be a wizard. She was a believer in equality....I respect that What a cool lady!

[Goodrum]

I have had a chance to study her some more..this is rather an amazing article, I'm not even sure how I found it:

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ubp ... ypatia.htm

Universal Brotherhood Path – May 1901

HYPATIA: I — John Toland

..or the history of a most beautiful, most virtuous, most learned, and every-way accomplished Lady, who was torn to pieces by the Clergy of Alexandries, to gratify the pride, emulation, and cruelty of their Archbishop, commonly but undeservedly styled, St.Cyril.

Magnum aliquid inflat, efferum, immane, impium.
— SEN. MEDEA, OCT. 3, SCEN. 1, LIN. ib

London, A. D. 1753 British Museum
--------------------------------------------------

The information sounds like it is well researched?

CHAPTER I

A GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE LADY; THE CONTRIVERS AND EXECUTIONERS OF THE BARBARITIES WHICH SHE SUFFERED; AND THE AUTHORITIES FROM WHENCE THIS STORY IS EXTRACTED.

I am going to give a short account, but as full as ancient books afford us material, of the Life and Death of Hypatia; who will ever continue the Glory of her own sex, and the disgrace of ours: for the women have no less reason to value themselves, that there existed a Lady of such rare accomplishments, without the least blemish, even as a foil to her numberless perfections; than the men to be ashamed, that any could be found among them of so brutal and savage a disposition, as, far from being struck with admiration at so much beauty, innocence, and knowledge, to stain their barbarous hands with her blood, and their impious souls with the indelible character of sacriligious murderers.

A Bishop, a patriarch, nay, a saint, was the contriver of so horrid a deed, and his clergy the executioners of his implacable fury.

The authors out of whom I collect my account (and I omit none that has come to my knowledge) were either her contemporaries, or lived near that age. One of them was her school-fellow, another her scholar. But they who relate the most odious and flagitious circumstances are ecclesiastical historians, counted orthodox in their own time, as well as eminently so by most in ours. Nor ought we to forget that several of them were priests.

To every one of them we shall do the justice that their sincerity or prevarication deserves, though little remains to do in this respect; all being agreed about the principal facts, and some differing only in points of no great importance. They are such things, as, taken either way, neither serve much to alleviate a very bad cause, nor to aggravate what cannot be possibly made worse

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We have the unanimous consent of Synesius, Socrates, and Philostorgius, her contemporaries; as likewise of Damascius, Nicephorus Gregoras, Nicephorus Callistus, Photius, Suidas, Hesychius Illustris, and others, touching the prodigious learning and other excellent accomplishments of Hypatia.

What is still a greater proof of the fact, no one person, or through ignorance or through envy, has ever as much as insinuated the contrary.

Socrates the ecclesiastical historian, an unsuspected witness, says that "she arrived to such a pitch of learning as very far to exceed all the philosophers of her time;" to which Nicephorus, also an ecclesiastical historian, adds, "Those of other times."

Philostorgius affirms that, "She was much superior to her father and master Theon in what regards Astronomy." And Suidas, who mentions two books of her writing, one "on the Astronomical Canon of Diophantus," and another "on the Conics of Apollonius," avers that "she not only exceeded her father in Astronomy, but further, that she understood all the other parts of Philosophy; " a thing that will be easily credited by those who shall peruse the sequel of this story, wherein nothing is advanced without competent vouchers

She soon had a crowded Auditory.

"She explained to her hearers," says Socrates, "the several sciences, that go under the name of Philosophy; for which reason," continues he, "there was a confluence to her from all parts, of those who made Philosophy their delight and study."

To the same purpose speak others; and Suidas adds that "She explained all the philosophers" that is, all the several sects, with the particular tenets of their founders, which shews an inexpressible elevation and capacity; each of these separately being thought a sufficient province to exercise the diligence of any one man consummate in Letters

[Goodrum]

HYPATIA'S SCHOOL CROWDED WITH SCHOLARS OF THE BEST FASHION. SHE IS ADMIRED FOR HER INCOMPARABLE BEAUTY, AND THE VAST EXTENT OF HER LEARNING

Hypatia was by way of excellence named "The Philosopher," although as much on account of her profound knowledge, as for her public profession of teaching. Nor was any professor ever more admired by the world, or more dear to his own scholars. Hers were as remarkable as numerous.

I think Synesius has a wee crush on Hypatia...

Synesius, himself, highly regarded, (see the end of chapter before he discusses Hypatia).

SYNESIUS'S TESTIMONY TO THE LEARNING AND VIRTUE OP HYPATIA. SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS WRITINGS AND OTHER WORKS.

The thing which our design obliges us not to pass over lightly is, the grateful testimony he everywhere bears to the Learning and Virtue of Hypatia, whom he never mentions without the profoundest respect, and sometimes in terms of affection, coming little short of adoration.

In a letter to his brother, Euoptius: — "Salute," says he, "the most honored and the most beloved of God, the Philosopher; and that happy sodality of Fellowship which enjoys the blessing of her divine voice."

In another to his said brother he mentions one "Egyptus, who sucked in the seeds of Wisdom from Hypatia."

And thus he expresses himself, writing to Olympius: "I suppose these letters will be delivered by Peter which he will receive from that sacred hand. I send them from Pentapolis to our common Instructress, and she will intrust them with whom she thinks fit, which I am sure will be to one that is well known to her."

[Goodrum]

So, this we can gather, she is known and respected for knowledge on the sciences, also for the depth and breadth of philosophy, she either was somewhat of a co, or inventor of her own right, she was a great orator, her manner was that she got on well with her fellow people, her students, (much loved it seems).

"It does not make much difference what a person studies -- all knowledge is related, and the man who studies anything, if he keeps at it, will become learned."
— Hypatia

From another source: http://www.robertnowlan.com/pdfs/Hypatia.pdf Hypatia: Robert Nowlan

Mathematician and philosopher Theon,
who according to the Byzantine encyclopedia The Suda, was the last
head of the Museum at Alexandria, was one of the most educated men in
the city.

He raised his gifted daughter Hypatia (c. 370 – 415 CE) to be a
perfect human being, sharing with her his knowledge and cultivating her
all-compelling passion for the life of the mind.

The most significant contributions of Theon were an
edition of Euclid’s Elements, a commentary on Ptolemy’s Almagest, and for encouraging and guiding
his far more brilliant daughter’s mathematical, scientific and philosophical education.

Hypatia was the first woman known to make a substantial contribution to the development of mathematics.
Hypatia persuaded her father to send her to Athens where her brilliance and devotion to the cultivation of the mind won her the laurel wreath, an honor that the University of Athens only conferred on its most outstanding students.
Hypatia wrote The Astronomical Canon and commentaries [textbooks for students] on Diophantus and the Conics of Apollonius. She made the concepts of hyperbolas, parabolas, and ellipses easier to understand, thus ensuring the work would survive throughout the
centuries

So....rational?

[Goodrum]

From PUMll page 161 Rationals

To me it is suffice to wonder at these secrets and to attempt humbly to grasp with my mind a mere image of the lofty structure of all that there is..

From People Patterns page 36

Whatever their field, Rationals set out to comprehend the natural world in all it's complexity. Rationals want to learn about the abstract principles or natural laws that inform the world, but they are more interested in finding out about the structure and function of the world's complex systems, be they mechanical, organic, or social systems.

From Robert Nowlan again:

By most accounts Hypatia was an extremely virtuous woman, very learned and of singular beauty, modesty, and wisdom. Around 400 A.D., she became the head of the Platonist school at Alexandria.

She was the most popular person in the city. Poets called her the “Virgin of Heaven,” “the spotless
star,” “of highest speech the flower.” Students from Rome and Athens and all the great cities of the
empire came to Alexandria to attend her eloquent lectures on mathematics and philosophy. Letters
written and addressed simply to the “philosopher” were delivered to her. She would put on her
philosopher’s cloak and laurel wreath and walk through the city publicly interpreting Plato, Aristotle, or
the works of other philosophers for those who gathered around her. Hypatia was articulate and eloquent
in her speaking and devoted herself diligently to all philosophy

Hypatia had a powerful friend in the person of Orestes, the Roman prefect of Alexandria, and they shared a powerful enemy, Cyril, the patriarch of Alexandria.

The latter felt the talent and popularity of this pagan woman was a threat to Christianity.

No doubt Cyril feared that the populace would embrace her dangerous teachings, which included sentiments such as: “All formal dogmatic religions are fallacious and must never be accepted by self-respecting persons as final,” “Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all” and “To teach superstitions as truth is a most terrible thing.”

Her brilliance meant nothing to Cyril.

It appalled him that this frail woman dared to be free and think for herself. He believed if she were out of the way, the people would turn to God and away from her paganistic neoplatonic philosophy

"To teach superstitions as truth is a most terrible thing.." So takes me back to the interviews with Richard Dawkins..

[christina]

Those would be my thoughts.....maybe Inventor? I'm thinking now that it might have been unlikely she was "attentive".