HYPATIA
Born c. 350–370, Hypatia was an astronomer, mathematician and the leader of the Neoplatonist school of philosophy in Alexandria, Egypt. A prominent woman within the sciences, her Pagan beliefs would turn out to be more controversial than her sex.
While many academics at the time converted from Paganism to Christianity in order to protect themselves, Hypatia refused and continued to teach Pagan beliefs, rekindling an interest in Greek (Hellenic) religion. This would result in a number of riots between Christians and Pagans.
In 415, Hypatia was brutally murdered by Christian monks, who skinned her, tore off her limbs and burned her body. A few years later, the Museum of Alexandria, which housed her writings and other works that were deemed to be threatening to the Christian church, was raided and all of her writings were destroyed.
