Hypatia―brilliant mathematician; eloquent Neoplatonist; and a woman renowned for her beauty―was brutally murdered by a mob of Christians in Alexandria in 415. She has been a legend ever since. In this engrossing book; Maria Dzielska searches behind the legend to bring us the real story of Hypatia's life and death; and new insight into her colorful world.Historians and poets; Victorian novelists and contemporary feminists have seen Hypatia as a symbol―of the waning of classical culture and freedom of inquiry; of the rise of fanatical Christianity; or of sexual freedom. Dzielska shows us why versions of Hypatia's legend have served her champions' purposes; and how they have distorted the true story. She takes us back to the Alexandria of Hypatia's day; with its Library and Museion; pagan cults and the pontificate of Saint Cyril; thriving Jewish community and vibrant Greek culture; and circles of philosophers; mathematicians; astronomers; and militant Christians. Drawing on the letters of Hypatia's most prominent pupil; Synesius of Cyrene; Dzielska constructs a compelling picture of the young philosopher's disciples and her teaching. Finally she plumbs her sources for the facts surrounding Hypatia's cruel death; clarifying what the murder tells us about the tensions of this tumultuous era.
#796578 in Books 2014-05-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 1.60 x 6.10l; 2.15 #File Name: 0674284003784 pages
Review
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Complete History; Long OverdueBy Robert K. WarskiWhile many books have been written about bits and pieces of the complicated history of Poland's involvement in World War II; this is the first; to my knowledge; to bring the whole story together in a single volume. The author has obviously done enormous research on the subject and succeeded in enlightening an old history teacher like myself on several points. The book is interestingly written. I looked forward to returning to it every time I had to set it aside. The chapter on the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 was especially engaging; leading me to imagine myself on the streets of the Polish capital during those dramatic and tragic week. The author does an outstanding job of tracing the story of Poland beyond the end of hostilities in 1945 because; in some ways; the war didn't truly end for the Poles until the fall of Communism in 1989 when the whole truth about the war could be told.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A very readable history of a complex periodBy Raymond ZablotnyThe author organizes the many layers of the German invasion; Polish politics; Russian invasion; imposition of communism; and the extermination camps in a very readable way that allows one to understand what happened. My ancestors left Poland for America at the start of the 20th century. This is the best history of post WWI Poland that I have read. There is just enough detail about the many battles. The author makes it clear that extermination of the Poles was on the agenda to follow the extermination of the Jews.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A salute to the PolesBy David WillettsThis is a complex subject that makes for a complex book. I think the author tried a little too hard to make sure he did not leave out a single detail; and as a result the book; although fascinating; it was a hard read. However; on the whole; it was worth the effort.
