Hypatia

Hypatia: Her Life and Times is a non-fiction collection of essays examining the evidence for the Alexandrian philosopher, mathematician and teacher who was murdered in 415 CE. Faith L. Justice separates late antique testimony from later legend, considering what can reasonably be known about Hypatia’s education, public reputation, teaching, scientific work and relationship with the city’s governing elite.

The book also explains the political and religious conflict surrounding her death, particularly the rivalry between the prefect Orestes and Bishop Cyril of Alexandria. Written as a companion to the novel Selene of Alexandria, it surveys the contradictory images attached to Hypatia and argues that her documented intellectual authority and public role require no romantic or supernatural embellishment.