Hypatia and the Idiosyncrasies of Christianity in Egypt: a study of the events occurred at Easter 415 A.D. in Alexandria

Abstract

When compared with other regions of Roman Empire, Egypt was early and intensively converted into Christianity. In Egypt, Christianity was almost a phenomenon of masses, characterized also by a well distinguished militancy, spirit of martyrdom, and popular adhesion. These particularities can be explained by the social, political and religious background. It is our aim, in this paper, to look closer into the context and events which conducted to the Hypatia’s Death, to follow the political response regarding street violence in Alexandria. Far for holding attenuate circumstances to dramatic events, the analysis of literary testimonies and legal documents will frame the Hypatia‘s death episode in the major conflictive context of social and religious tensions in Late Egypt.