Educated by her father, Theon of Alexandria, a prominent mathematician and astronomer, Hypatia surpassed many male contemporaries in expertise across mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy.

As head of the Alexandrian School, a leading intellectual center, she taught philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy, attracting numerous knowledge-seeking students and establishing the school as a bastion of wisdom and critical thinking.

Roman Emperor Synesius of Cyrene, one of her disciples, invited Hypatia to relocate to Rome to continue her teaching. However, she chose to remain in Alexandria, dedicated to her home and school.

Hypatia is credited with significant contributions to astronomy, including a commentary on Apollonius of Perga’s astronomical treatise and the development of precise astronomical instruments. Although her original writings have not survived, her work likely advanced the field.

During her lifetime, Alexandria was rife with political and religious tensions. As a pagan philosopher grounded in reason and scientific knowledge, Hypatia became entangled in conflicts between Christians and pagans, ultimately leading to her demise.

No contemporary images or sculptures of Hypatia exist; depictions emerged approximately a millennium after her death. While often portrayed in Greek attire, she would have dressed in Roman fashion, reflecting her imperial affiliation.