Agora

Description

In 4th-century pagan Alexandria, Hypatia chooses the independent life of a scientist over marriage to Orestes and is a successful teacher for many years. But as Christianity slowly takes over the city, Hypatia's scientific studies lead to her being charged of witchcraft and, when Orestes, himself now a Christian, hesitates to have her condemned as a witch, the mob takes the matter into their own hands, leaving only a Christian slave whom Hypatia freed years earlier to save her.

Themes

Hypatia of Alexandria (c. 351 – 415 CE), Eastern Roman Empire (395 – 1453 CE), Religion, Christianity, Science, Philosophy, Education, Gender roles, Martyrs, Women's history, Paganism, Cultural conflict, Religious intolerance