Hypatia of Alexandria, late antiquity public figure and scholar, made significant contributions to mathematics, philosophy, and astronomy. Her embrace of Neoplatonism was seen as such a threat to the political elite in Alexandria that she was murdered by a mob of Christians. So what made her ideas so dangerous and revolutionary for her time? As a woman in Ancient Egypt, how did she exert power over her own narrative? And should she really be considered a "martyr" for philosophy? Josh and Ray explore Hypatia's life and thought with Edward Watts, Professor of History at UCSD and author of Hypatia: The Life and Legend of an Ancient Philosopher.
Part of our series Wise Women, generously funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Josh Landy
Who was Hypatia of Alexandria?
Ray Briggs
What was so revolutionary about her ideas?
Josh Landy
And why did they lead to her eventual murder?
Comments (1)
Tim Smith
Monday, August 14, 2023 -- 7:22 AM
There is more than I thoughtThere is more than I thought in extent material on Hypatia, as related in the show. This was helpful and enlightening. I feel differently than I did even last year. I don't know if that is age or learning, or both. Juana Inés de la Cruz was a revelation. This is appreciation, if not wisdom. An auspicious start to what is shaping up to be an essential series in shaping my views on gender and philosophy. I don't think Hypatia's martyrdom is due to her gender, which is a more profound thought for later times.