Hypatia of Alexandria, the ancient sacrifice of mathematics

OHe called her beautiful, intelligent, erudite, in a word, charismatic. His father, Theon of Alexandria, director of the university of the ancient metropolis and its famous library, professor of mathematics and astronomy, left studies on subjects as varied as the ascent of the star Sirius or the floods of the Nile. Lunar and solar eclipses also benefited from his keen attention. Hypatia was born in the year 350. Maybe another year, who knows? Unlike the date of his death, rigorously established, that of his birth remains uncertain. This case is quite common because, as noted by Michael Deakin, historian of mathematics, historical figures always tend to be much more famous when they die than when…