I remember reading “Hypatia: The Life and Legend of an Ancient Philosopher” by Edward J. Watts, and the book makes a really good point on how Hypatia is remembered for her death more than for her life. She’s regarded as a mrtyr for philosophy, as a victim of Christianity, as a feminist icon, but her life and achievements are, unfairly, rarely discussed.
Really recommend the book, it was a very nice and light read. But working from memory, Hypatia taught a variant of Neoplatonism that was acceptable to both Christians and polytheists, and so her lectures could bind the fractured society of Alexandria, as students from all sorts of backgrounds attended.
I remember reading “Hypatia: The Life and Legend of an Ancient Philosopher” by Edward J. Watts, and the book makes a really good point on how Hypatia is remembered for her death more than for her life. She’s regarded as a mrtyr for philosophy, as a victim of Christianity, as a feminist icon, but her life and achievements are, unfairly, rarely discussed.
Really recommend the book, it was a very nice and light read. But working from memory, Hypatia taught a variant of Neoplatonism that was acceptable to both Christians and polytheists, and so her lectures could bind the fractured society of Alexandria, as students from all sorts of backgrounds attended.
Funny enough I read that very book maybe a month or two ago!