The Killing of Hypatia

Hypatia was a philosopher, astronomer, an accomplished mathematician and a teacher in the city of Alexandria until her death in 415AD. She was murdered by a mob of Christian men known as the parabalani who were commonly referred to as "caretakers of the sick and dying" but were, in reality, volunteer militia and henchmen for Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria.

One main function of the parabalani was to terrorize pagans and Jews as punishment for their religious practices. As enemies of education, the Christians destroyed the expansive library in Alexandria and defiled masterpieces of art they considered demonic. The term "demonic" was used to refer to anything they failed to understand- a practice carried over to this day.

The Christians, whose faith-based belief system compelled them to reject Hypatia's evidence-based teachings, opposed critical thinking and knowledge. Their ignorance and fear fueled the violence inflicted upon Hypatia that fateful spring day in 415AD.

Ordered by Cyril, the parabalani pulled Hypatia from her carriage, dragged her into a Christian church which had once been a pagan temple and stripped her of her clothing. She was tortured with the sharp edges of tiles made from oysters shells, her skin peeled off in strips. Her eyes were removed from her head and her limbs pulled from her body before her remains were burned in mockery of her pagan practices.

In honor of Hypatia, this piece speaks to the violence against women who think for ourselves, teach others, create and thrive despite attempts within the Christian church (and all patriarchal power systems) to oppress us.

From Hypatia's brutal murder to present day, we've faced judgement and rage from so called "peaceful" religious establishments whose membership continues to dwindle as more and more people see the true light and turn away from the ignorance, hypocrisy and abuse.