Sister in STEM: Hypetia
🧠The Real Hypatia: Philosopher, Editor, STEM Queen (Not a Sexy Martyr)
If you’ve ever googled Hypatia of Alexandria, chances are you’ve seen her described as a “martyr for science” or “the seductress scholar who dared to defy the Church.” Spoiler: that’s 90% fanfiction and 10% gross old men projecting.
So let’s set the record straight—Hypatia wasn’t a mathematical messiah or a scroll-hungry Aphrodite. She was something even better: a fiercely intelligent teacher, a science communicator ahead of her time, and the ultimate academic bestie to her students.
📍 A Woman in STEM…in the 4th Century?!
Born around 355 CE-ish (ancient historians were not big on birth certificates), Hypatia was trained by her father, Theon—a math professor and, frankly, a contender for Dad of the Year. Unlike most women of her time, she was raised on geometry, astronomy, and philosophy. By her 30s, she was teaching grown men in the streets of Alexandria and running her own school like the STEM queen she was.
Hypatia didn’t “discover” new mathematical formulas—she preserved them. She edited and clarified complex texts, wrote review material, created practice problems, and made ancient math understandable for the average student. Honestly, she was the SparkNotes of ancient Alexandria. Show some respect.
✨ Philosophy, Celibacy, and Period Power
As a Neoplatonist, Hypatia believed that through philosophical contemplation (and zero sex), you could reunite with “The One”—the source of all reality. That’s right: she was celibate by choice, which gave her oracle-like status in Alexandria.
And when some lovesick student refused to take no for an answer? She allegedly shut him down with a bloody menstrual cloth. Hypatia: 1. Creepy dudes: 0.
🔥 Her Death Was Political, Not Religious
Here’s where things take a turn—and where the myth-making gets messy. Hypatia was brutally murdered by a mob in 415 CE. But despite what bad movies and angsty Reddit threads claim, she wasn’t killed for being a woman, or a pagan, or a genius.
She was caught in a political turf war between the city’s governor (her friend Orestes) and the Christian bishop Cyril. Her close relationship with Orestes made her a target, and her death was used to drive him out. That’s it. No witch-burning. No “death for science.” Just plain ol’ political power struggle.
🏛 Why Hypatia Still Matters
Hypatia’s legacy got twisted over centuries into something more myth than woman. But the truth is, she doesn’t need embellishing. She was loved by her students, respected by powerful men, and smart as hell. A woman who made knowledge accessible, who taught with compassion, and who lived for learning.
And in a world that still sidelines women in STEM, that story deserves to be told—mess-free and martyr-free.
🎧 Want the full story (with tampon mic drops, ancient beef, and more historical hot tea)?
Listen to this episode of For the Love of History! And if you love what you hear, support the pod on Patreon for bonus content, early access, and our legendary donut newsletter.
