Hypatia

Hypatia (hīpā'shu) [key], d.415, Alexandrian Neoplatonic philosopher and mathematician, a woman renowned for her learning, eloquence, and beauty. Little is known of her writings. Her fame is largely owing to her barbarous murder by a band of monks, said to have been encouraged by the archbishop, St. Cyril of Alexandria (a personal and political enemy of the prefect of Egypt, who was believed to have been Hypatia's lover).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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