Alexandria, since its founding by Alexander the Great in circa 331 BCE, was the centre of learning, attracting intellects, artists, scientists and many other disciplines from around the Mediterranean and beyond. It was a unique and beautiful city, and built on pagan religion. Many of the famous buildings that have echoed through time were commissioned by Ptolemy I, who was Alexander’s general and a Macedonian who adopted the Egyptian way of life, including marrying within the family. Unfortunately, this dynastic family died when Cleopatra committed suicide in 30 BCE.
Alexandria was a prosperous city, that was until Julius Caesar decided he wanted a piece of the pie and took control. In short, in the hands of the Roman Empire, the city of intellect saw a decline in wealth and human disparity. By the time Constantine the Great took the reigns and declared Christianity as a state religion, Alexandria became the battle ground between the Christians, the Jews and Pagans. Hypatia grew up in a time where citizens were zealots, there were violent conflicts and ongoing rivalries. No one was safe from persecution.
Hypatia’s father, ignored the traditional role accorded women during those times and taught her his trade, as a father would to a son. It was his influence and position as an academic that allowed Hypatia to pursue a scholarly career. She was a respected researcher and professor at the university, which only males were entitled. She never married, was celibate and committed to learning and teaching. Her intellect was acknowledged, even by her those who despised her however, it was her friendship with the Roman Prefect Orestes that caused her the greatest threat.
Quote by Hypatia:
Life is an unfoldment, and the further we travel the more truth we can comprehend. To understand the things that are at our door is the best preparation for understanding those that lie beyond. Hypatia
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/hypatia-quotes
Thank you for your continued support and as always, I look forward to your comments and will respond.
Historical fiction novelist and a secondary teacher, Luciana Cavallaro, burnt out but not done… yet.
Luciana Cavallaro 
I can only imagine how difficult life back then was for women. For all our flaws, I’m happy to live in the 21st C
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I guess if you didn’t know any better, then it didn’t impact on your life as much. We are fortunate to living in this time and to have opportunities our forebears never had.
Thank you, Jacqui 😀 I hope you are keeping safe and healthy.
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And you, Luciana. I’d like to say I’m wirting more but that wouldn’t be true. Are you teaching from home? How’s it going? I’m trying Google Meets with my online college class today. Wish me luck!
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How did your Google Meets go? I am sure it went very well.
I am still at work, we are having to keep our schools open here in Australia, and are doing online learning. Lots more work involved and mentally exhausting.
Keep safe, Jacqui.
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I like Google Meet. It has everything typically needed for an online class and is easy to initiate and join. Send an invite with a link; click to join (don’t need a Google account); instructor admits joiners; done. And it’s free. But you do need a GSuite account. Most schools have one and I have one for my business but it won’t work for others.
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I must look into Google Meet, though I won’t be able to use it at my school.
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What a travesty that Julius Caesar destroyed the Library at Alexandria, the center for intellectual and scientific records, during his occupation of Egypt. The quote of Hypatia really resonated for me: “Life is an unfoldment, and the further we travel the more truth we can comprehend. To understand the things that are at our door is the best preparation for understanding those that lie beyond.”
Take care and keep safe.
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It was and very short-sighted by Julius Caesar, though not surprising. If he hadn’t done it, then I would surmise the Christians would have burnt it down spouting paganism.
Thanks, Linnea. I hope you are keeping safe too.
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