Hypatia

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Hypatia (Greek: Ὑπατία Hypatía) (born c. AD 350 – 370 to 415) was a Greek Alexandrian Neoplatonist philosopher in Egypt. As head of the Platonist school at Alexandria, she taught philosophy and astronomy. She was the last of the great Neoplatonic philosophers, having been killed by a Christian mob. It has been suggested that her murder marked the end of Classical antiquity and the downfall of Alexandrian intellectual life.

According to Mme. Blavatsky, "she was revered by all who knew her for her erudition, noble virtues, and character".[1] She also wrote:

Hypatia (Gr.). The girl-philosopher, who lived at Alexandria during the fifth century, and taught many a famous man--among others Bishop Synesius. She was the daughter of the mathematician Theon, and became famous for her learning. Falling a martyr to the fiendish conspiracy of Theophilos, Bishop of Alexandria, and his nephew Cyril, she was foully murdered by their order. With her death fell the Neo-Platonic School.[2]

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Notes

  1. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled vol. II, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 53.
  2. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Theosophical Glossary (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 146-147.