Hypatia of Alexandria: The Woman Who Dared to Think

Celebrating Women's History Month with a badass a day.

Imagine a woman, standing in the heart of ancient Alexandria, surrounded by scrolls and students, her mind racing with ideas that would shape the course of history. This woman is Hypatia—a mathematician, a philosopher, and a teacher who refused to be confined by the limits of her time.

Born around 360 CE in Alexandria, Egypt, Hypatia grew up in a city known for its intellectual fervor and cultural diversity. Her father, Theon, was a renowned mathematician and astronomer, and he ensured Hypatia received an education that was rare for women of her time. She didn’t just learn; she excelled. She became a scholar in her own right, teaching mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy to students from all walks of life.

Hypatia wasn’t just a teacher. She was a thinker. She challenged the status quo, questioning everything from religious dogma to scientific theory. As a Neoplatonist, she sought to reconcile philosophy with spirituality, and her ideas were as radical as they were profound.

Her brillia…