Hypatia and the Role of Women in Hellenistic Society Essay

From past Greece to the traditions of classicalal parliamentary procedure, gender classifys engage been pictureed as iodine of the main characteristics point deep down these civilizations. Most strongly for Hellenistic community, it was the rule of patriarchs that best expound the gender orientation of their night club. In fact, the role of patriarchs or manfuls were very much(prenominal)(prenominal) emphasized in philosophical arguments, such as Sirachs Jewish apocryphal publications stating, There is wrath and impudence and great repose when a wife supports her husband (Sirach 21-23 cited in Sawyer 40).As far-off as Hellenistic society was concerned, the roles of women were limited to macrocosm wives who pass on function to men, home manager, and the wearied gender. The perspectives of Hellenism considered fe potents as subordinates to men, which somehow raised mens role in the society in the pedestal considering that females were deprived with the fortune to learn and to gain knowledge from subjects like science and philosophy. However, this societal stereotype was thwarted by Hypatia (370 415 C. E.) who initiated her efforts to learn the subjects that were previously exclusive to men al unrivaled.She became wiz of the close regarded female scholars in the history of Greece, specific totallyy in Alexandria. Hypatia was one of the earliest gender rights petitioners who focused mainly on education and learning. in spite of appearance the study, the discussion provides signifi stick outt emphasis on the life of Hypatia and the various encounters she had during her postulate for her education. With this, the study covers the role of women at bottom the Hellenistic society and the means these women grow with men.Furthermore, a critical argument between gender roles of the earlier completions of Hellenistic era is incorporated within the study in disposition to provide substantial evidence on womens societal significance put up i n the Hellenistic society. The study also considers the implications and contributions made by Hypatia towards the womanly roles in the society. Discussion Overview on Hypatia Hypatia was born in Alexandria where she spent most of her childhood and adolescence that influenced her identity. tally to scholars, the early education of Hypatia came from her experience within the Museums of Alexandria. She was subject to convince her father to let her obtain her primary education in Athens where she obtained an award of laurel wreath for her outstanding scholastic performances. According to OGrady (2005), Hypatia was noted to possess a dynamic personality that was legendary and a riveting, ultimately tragic, biography (235). Hypatia of Alexandria was considered the first woman mathematician who obtained positive inclinations in the subjects of philosophy and mathematics.Considering Hypatias father, Theon, was also a well-respected mathematician and astronomer of their time, Hypatia must have acquired her significant skills in numbers through her antiquated lineage. However, Hypatia was not solitary(prenominal) limited in these subjects, but she also expanded her reach within the context of philosophy and astronomical studies. The fundamental idealisms that greatly influenced her perspectives were the ideas from Hellenism and Neo-Platonism. From the book of Anderson, Katz and Wilson (2004), they pointed Suidas and Socrates explanation towards Hypatias physical features.According to them, Hypatia possessed a body of uncommon beauty and grace (47). Ogilvie (1986) mentioned in her book that according to Socrates Scholasticus, Hypatia was not unless famed because of her intellect and skill, but also with her beauty, which captivated Synesius, later bishop of Prolemais (104). However, in that location is a throw agreement between historians that Hypatia never married during her lifetime. diversion from her physique, her intellectual capacity obtained recognitio n from various fields of sciences. At close 400 A.D, Hypatia became the head of the Platonist school of Alexandria where she taught her expertise, mathematics and philosophy (OGrady 235). Her Neo-Platonist philosophy was influenced by classical Greek logic and idealism from Plato that was mingled with the concepts of Oriental mysticism, which she obtained by and by she studied at Egypt. Hence, the philosophical teachings of Hypatia revolved in an intensive cerebrate through Neo-Platonist perspective. With the vast diversity of culture and religious stresss present in Alexandria, the complexities of the political and economic climate did not stop the philosophical ideations of Hypatia.On the other hand, one of the most controversial points in Hypatias legacy was her destruction, which became the point of arguments on whether it contributed to the end of Hellenistic society or triggered the jailbreak of patriarchal domination (Anderson, Katz and Wilson 48). There had been diff erent theories that explain the death of Hypatia, such as her conflict with Cyril, Alexandrians stampede, etcetera However, Hypatias death can be considered worthwhile due to her contribution to the maidenly society. affair of Women in Hellenistic Society Within the patriarchal context of Greeces city-states and colonies during the Hellenistic era, women had indeed experienced diversity in their roles and views towards their society. Significantly, the women of their time considered being more sheltered and subordinate in their existence before men. Added by Witherington (1990), by Hellenistic and Roman times these views were still in existence, though less strongly held because of the liberalizing influence of Macedonian and Roman occupations (11).Despite of their weak presence within the Hellenistic society, women were still treated with respect and regards from the male society. Although, their fate as wives or married Hellenistic women was not viewed solely appropriate. The p rimary roles of women during this era were either for being the males wives or concubines. Athenian-citizen women were married comm unless at fifteen or sixteen years of age, and from this time, their understanding and gumminess of the world and their surroundings was not yet established.After the marriage, these women were separated through a guarded chamber, but their freedom was always retained. During this era, concubines were the least womanish class looked upon between legal wives and prostitutes. The role of concubines was even recognized by Athenian law, which comprised the legitimacy and freedom of lineage produced through her. However, with a clear picture, the Athenian law towards these concubines was much more inclined to the benefits of patriarchal society by having their sexual needs filled (Witherington 11).Despite of these limited aura and role diversion provided by the male society to the females, these women were still equal to(p) to foster their interest in e xpanding their capacity and placement within the society. In the Hellenistic understanding, one of the most historically significant events brought by the womanish gender was their interest for liberation. As supported by Swidler (1979), the conditions of women greatly amend to the point where a woman could in general marry and break up on her own initiative and even choose her own public figure (18).From this point, the placement of women exceeded their previous condition of their societal function. They even attained significant minor roles within the realm of education and political affairs. Hellenistic period marked the era of feminine role expanding upon wherein various opportunities within the society became available for them. With the opportunity to study and educate themselves, the profession that became the superlative threat to male poetic body was women poets.During the Hellenistic period, women, such as Hypatia, obtained honorary recognition for their skills in e xpressing their thoughts and opinions through poetry. Most of the time, the contents of their literature were related to their desire to possess equal outlook on both(prenominal) genders. The presence of Hellenistic monarchies provided the new outlook played by monarchical wives the Hellenistic queens. The upper-class women society enjoyed the vast newly opened opportunities since they were the ones who can avail the new places in society, such as education, political career, etc.Spielgovel (2005) mentioned that there had been documents indicating the increased numbers of women involved in managing slaves, selling property, and make loans (93). The immense amplification of womens role did not only consider careers and personal developments, but rather, they were also given the chance to acquire will power of their own lands, riches and significant placement within the canton of men. However, the expansion did not consider full equating for both genders but only the increase of feminine roles. Hypatia and her Contribution the Hellenistic RegimeHypatia of Alexandria was an casing of a pre-historic figure that fought the societys stereotype for gender discrimination. From her biography, she was able to go under even the best scholars of her time, a woman of legendary Athene-like beauty and virtue, and a woman who possessed distinct features of martyrdom. Hypatia can be considered as one of the famed personalities in Alexandria during the Hellenistic era. Her contribution to the society paved an example of feminine capacity to acquire development in the fields of education.She was considered as one of the famed Alexandrian poets that contributed to the modern sense of literature. Despite of her cleaning woman and societys stereotypes against feminine gender, she was still able to make substantial contributions in the fields of philosophy, mathematics and astronomy. In the fields of science, she was able to key the early forms of astrolabe and hydromet er although, this was not taken in regards by the male scientific society and regarded it as lacking of scientific studies (Anderson, Katz and Wilson 387).He provided her commentaries with Diophantuss Arithmetica, on Apolloniuss Conics, and on Ptolemys works but all of her works was lost in time. IN the fields of philosophy, she was able to merge the concept of oriental perspectives to Platonistic views. One of her commendable disciples to this teaching was Synesius who locomote within the context of religious philosophy (Kahlos 40). She was able to prove to the patriarchal society that females can also stand their ground and contribute to the societys welfare if only they can obtain the sense of rightful(prenominal) placement.Her philosophical views under the teachings of Neo-Platonist were considered by the Christian orthodox as an antonym to their beliefs. The Christian society branded her teachings as ethnicistic and even considered her as the Pagan martyr. According to Forre st (2001), the Christian orthodox had seen the influence of her philosophical views and, since this threatens the Christianity of Alexandrian society, Hypatia was kill by an angry Christian mob, which ended the teachings of her neo-platonic views (127).The roles of women within the Hellenistic society expanded giving them various opportunities to acquire proper placement in the society however, this did not eliminate the gender discrimination and inferior sense towards feminine society. The trademark of Hellenistic era did open the new quarters for female society, but still, the last opinion came from the patriarchal society hence, constricting the expansion of feminine career and roles in the society. ConclusionIn the remainder of the study, the life of Hypatia was used in order to analyze the systems and the social conditions of feminine roles during the Hellenistic era. Indeed, the functionalities and placement of women expanded during this era, although it did not consider fu ll equality between the two genders. Females were given the chance of education, political participation, material and wealth possession, and significant position in the fields of philosophy and sciences.Hypatia portrayed the Hellenistic woman of their time wherein she established a remarkable educational background and contribution to the fields of sciences and philosophy. However, most of these were either hindered or rejected by the male society. Hypatia was a victim of societys stigma against Christian Orthodox in which she somehow contradicted with he Neo-Platonic teachings hence, she was murdered in order to end her influence. Still, with Hypatias life portrayal, the Hellenistic women did achieve role expansion but still under societal limitations brought by male society.