Agora, a Film on the Life of Philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria

Submitted by Ann on Mon, 08/17/2009 - 19:00

Agora - Hypatia of Alexandria - Movie Poster To be released in October 2009, the Hollywood-made film Agora - set in Alexandria, Egypt, 391 AD, directed by Alejandro Amenábar and starring Rachel Weisz - about the life and death of the Greek scholar Hypatia of Alexandria should be next in the long line of 'historically correct' blockbusters that succeed at capturing the attention of a wide audience. The film contains everything it needs - pretty heroine (including love story with Davus) gets killed over science vs. religion conflict and thus becomes a martyr - to appeal to a large crowd and to generate a huge amount of ticket sales. But is it indeed that historically correct?

Tom O'Neil at Armanium Magnum is quite sceptical about the upcoming release:

Now normally I'd be delighted that someone was making a film set in the 5th Century (at least, one that wasn't another fantasy about "King Arthur" anyway). After all, it's not like there's a shortage of remarkable stories to tell from that turbulent and interesting time. And normally I'd be even more delighted that they are actually bothering to make it look like the Fifth Century, rather than assuming because it's set in the Roman Empire everyone needs to be wearing togas, forward combed haircuts and lorica segmentata. And I would be especially delighted that they are not only doing both these things but also casting the delightful Rachel Weisz in the lead role, since she's an excellent actress and, let's face it, pretty cute.

So why am I not delighted? Because Amenabar has chosen to write and direct a film about the philosopher Hypatia and perpetuate some hoary Enlightenment myths by turning it into a morality tale about science vs fundamentalism.

The Real Hypatia & Her Death

Agora - Rachel Weisz as Hypatia of Alexandria Although Hipatia from Alexandria isn't that well documented as some other great philosophers of her age, there are quite a few facts we know for (semi)certain. Born the daughter of Theon, she lived in Alexandria, Egypt during the 4th century BC, where she quickly gained the reputation of being an excellent mathematician, astronomer and philosopher. Although she's known to general public mostly as 'the lady who rebuffed a suitor by showing him her menstrual rags, claiming they demonstrated that there was "nothing beautiful" about carnal desires - the contemporary Christian historiographer Socrates Scholasticus described her in his Ecclesiastical History as a wise and respected person:

There was a woman at Alexandria named Hypatia, daughter of the philosopher Theon, who made such attainments in literature and science, as to far surpass all the philosophers of her own time. Having succeeded to the school of Plato and Plotinus, she explained the principles of philosophy to her auditors, many of whom came from a distance to receive her instructions. On account of the self-possession and ease of manner, which she had acquired in consequence of the cultivation of her mind, she not infrequently appeared in public in presence of the magistrates. Neither did she feel abashed in going to an assembly of men. For all men on account of her extraordinary dignity and virtue admired her the more.

Set in Alexandria during the dying days of the Roman Empire, the big-budget movie "Agora" charts the bloody struggles that pitted pagans and Jews against the early Christians seizing power across the Mediterranean region.

Malcolm listed an interesting overview of Hypatia's portrayals in 'popular culture', ranging from ancient world biographies, to Raphaels portrait from her, and even a more contemporary portrait, 'painted' by famous graphic novelist Hugo Pratt.

Hipatia knew both political fractions - led by the Prefect of the City Orestes and Bishop Cyrel - in the city of Alexandria well. It needs to be noted that both Orested and bishop Cyrel were Christian. Orestes and Cyril soon came into conflict over Cyril's hard-line actions against smaller Christian factions like the Novatians and his violence against Alexandria's large Jewish community. After a pogrom against Jewish synagogues led by Cyril, Orestes complained to the Emperor but was over-ruled. Tensions between the supporters of the Bishop and those of the Prefect then began to run high in a city that was known for mob rule and vicious street violence. It was one of those mobs - a group of monks from remote monasteries that came into the city to support Bishop Cyril - that killed Hypatia. In the 5th century, Socrates Scholasticus wrote on this:

Agora - Hypatia of Alexandria - Mob Anno 391 AD Hipatia fell a victim to the political jealousy which at that time prevailed. For as she had frequent interviews with Orestes, it was calumniously reported among the Christian populace, that it was she who prevented Orestes from being reconciled to the bishop. Some of them therefore, hurried away by a fierce and bigoted zeal, whose ringleader was a reader named Peter, waylaid her returning home, and dragging her from her carriage, they took her to the church - called Caesareum, where they completely stripped her, and then murdered her with tiles. After tearing her body in pieces, they took her mangled limbs to a place called Cinaron, and there burnt them. This affair brought not the least opprobrium, not only upon Cyril, but also upon the whole Alexandrian church. And surely nothing can be farther from the spirit of Christianity than the allowance of massacres, fights, and transactions of that sort.

Error: Hypatia of Alexandria, Slaughtered for Science?

'Agora' Official Trailer:

The plot description of 'Agora' does not mention the philosopher's tragic death at all, but rather seems to focus on the love Hypatia's Disciple - played by Jordan Kiziuk - develops for the great thinker: "A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hopes of pursuing freedom while also falling in love with his master, the famous female philosophy professor and atheist Hypatia of Alexandria."

Yet the recently issued press release - you got to love the title: 'Spain's Amenabar brings Cannes toga-clad philosophy flick'- speaks about the destruction of 'science' and intolerance and extremism:

"The 37-year-old director focuses on the little-known story of Hypatia, a philosopher and astronomer from Alexandria whose work on the solar system pitted her against the Church, a thousand years before Galileo. Played by Oscar-winning British actress Weisz, Hypatia is persecuted in the film for her science that challenges the Christians' faith, as much as for her status as an influential woman. From bloody clashes to public stonings and massacres, the city descends into inter-religious strife, and the victorious Christians turn their back on the rich scientific legacy of antiquity, defended by Hypatia. Amenabar said in an interview that he wanted the 50-million-euro Spanish production, shot in a recreated Alexandria on the island of Malta, to carry a message against intolerance and extremism."

Yet if we take into account the 'real story' and context about Hypatia's death, it would be internal political struggle in Alexandria, rather than religious extremist loathing science that are responsible for the tragic events that lead to the philosophers being murdered in the streets?

Error: 'Agora' and the which Second Library of Alexandria?

"Set in Alexandria during the dying days of the Roman Empire, the big-budget movie "Agora" charts the bloody struggles that pitted pagans and Jews against the early Christians seizing power across the Mediterranean region. To add to the feeling of 'riot' and 'struggle', Agora opens with the destruction of the second library of Alexandria by the Christians and Jews -- after the first, famous library which was destroyed by Julius Caesar."

Agora - Hypatia of Alexandria - Love is in the air It's not quite certain we can hold Caesar responsible for the destruction of the Royal Library of Alexandria. Although Plutarch wrote the roman conqueror did burn it down accidentally, this is not confirmed in other sources, and the commonly accepted theory is that the library slowly demised over the centuries, Julius Caesar or no Julius Caesar. Ok, that does not mean the Christians and Jews could not have destroyed the Second Library of Alexandria, right?

Sure! If Alexandria only had a 'Second Library'. Most likely this is a reference to a temple named 'the Serapeum', but an account of the destruction of the Serapeum by the Bishop Theophilus in AD 391 makes no mention of a library or any books, only the destruction of pagan idols and cult objects. So yes, the religious did attack, but not the Library of Alexandria.

For more thorough reasoning why not to write your history paper based on 'Agora', do read Tom O'Neil's blog entry ' "Agora" and Hypatia - Hollywood Strikes Again ' at Armanium Magnum. In the mean while, don't let us stop you from enjoying the 'Agora' film. The Ice Age series has it's errors too, but is still highly entertaining! ;) And errr... wait until the Greek Orthodox Church hears about this movie? ;)

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Ann Wuyts (follow me: e-mail or

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Ann 'Vint' Wuyts is looking after the Heritage Key community and avatar health & entertainment. She is slightly fascinated by everything to do with 3D technology and what's commonly defined as 'Web 2.0'. When she grows up, Ann - eventually - wants to be a mummy. Favourite game: Buzzword Bingo /…

Comments

Patricia McGurk:

The author of this text obviously cannot write in proper English-"heroin" instead of "heroine"; "sceptic" instead of "sceptical"-"sceptic" is a noun and cannot be used as an adjective, "roman" instead of "Roman" and "lead" instead of "led" as the past tense of the verb "to lead".The ideas contained in the article are not worth considering when the use of English is so poor.

Thu, 22-10-2009 15:54

Ann:

Neen, inderdaad. Mijn Engels is verre van perfect. Maar als ik in het Nederlands zou schrijven, zou je er al helemaal niets van begrijpen. Maar kom, als je enkel mijn spelling en niet de ideeën kunt onderuit halen, is het alsnog een compliment? ;)

Thu, 22-10-2009 16:07

Wilfred Gaunt:

Ya Ann: En totdat alle engelsen kunnen an andere taal spreken, zoals in Nederland, zouden mijn engelse landgenoten over zo'n kleiner dingen hun monden mischien dicht houden. Yes Ann: and until all English people can speak another language, the way they do in the Netherlands, then perhaps my fellow countrymen would do well to keep there traps shut over such small matters.

Sun, 03-01-2010 11:30

umm hamzah:

I have seen the film with my two sons; ten and fifteen and we all loved it. First as a film it was well acted and very enjoyable despite some distressing scences. Secondly this is a film and not a hisotrical book that needs to be accurate. I have read so many books claiming to be historical and acucrate about the Palestine cause and to me as a person who is currently witnessing this hisotry unfold I know they represent an ideologically motivated view rather than the facts.

It is better for Directors to let their imagiantion run rather than those claiming to be historians.

The message of the film whether based on exact facts or not is so relevant today and a must see across generations. I hope my english will not offend anyone,afterall it is my second language.

Sun, 17-01-2010 09:00

Ann:

Umm Hamzah, not at all - it is my second (officially, third) language as well, and in my opinion it actually speaks for you that you can - and are willing to - speak and type a second language! ;)

I must admit I still haven't seen it, and I'm clueless if it is out in cinemas in London yet. I agree that 100% historically correct is not needed - check out this interesting article on edutainment - BUT... all to often 'past heroes', or just events in the past get conveniently adapted to suit a modern day cause or theory or 'morale' that has nothing to do with the original events. And putting events in a wrong context is not good practice, imho.

But I'll put off futher judgement until I've seen the movie, and I hope I'll enjoy it as much as you did.

Mon, 18-01-2010 09:49

Daphnis:

There's a great book about it, the BEST BOOK about Hipatia of Alexandria.

"VIAGEM INICIÁTICA DE HIPÁTIA: NA DEMANDA DA ALMA DOS NÚMEROS" de José Carlos Fernández, Editora Nova Acrópole, 2010.

Thu, 28-01-2010 11:44

Constance Fairchild:

This is the first I've ever heard of this movie! Are there any plans to release it in the US, or is it available on DVD?

Thu, 28-01-2010 12:22

Ann:

None of the release date information even mentions the United Kingdom or the States -sighs- It is set to be released today in Greece, and April 15th in Argentina... guess that means we'll need to wait for the DVD release quite a while still! :( The soundtrack is available on Amazon though! :D

Thu, 28-01-2010 13:21

Hypatia-Wanna-Be:

For those of you who have not seen the movie, its English is really not the worst thing about the review above. The author seems to have compiled every other review of the movie and published this inconsistent mess without taking the time to watch the movie or even check the credits (for example, Jordan Kiziuk does not play a central role as a love interest or otherwise).

While watching Agora is not an earth-shattering experience for someone who has given much thought to the interplay of politics, convictions, and passion in historical and modern events, it is also not simply a visual romp through fourth-/fifth-century Alexandria. Well acted, directed, and filmed, the movie is an all-around appreciated experience.

Sat, 27-02-2010 10:58

Doug Daugherty:

Sorry Patricia, bad grammer ain't a yardstick for brains. Laziness perhaps. Dost thou judge so harshly all who submit comments? Pity. How are you judged Patricia? Gently, I hope. If not you are probably in tears so much of your uptight grammatical supremo life. Pity.

Sat, 27-03-2010 14:34

Ann:

Going this weekend! Finally!!! So excited! :p

Thu, 22-04-2010 09:34

gUesssss who? mE:

Hi! help! can you justify the name of the film? why is it call "agora" and not, for example, "hypatia of alexandria"?
explain to me more about the evolution from polytheismto monotheism.
thanks!

Mon, 14-06-2010 19:43

Ann:

Hi 'Guess Who'. Malcolm wrote a very nice piece about why it is named Agora, after the Athens 'marketplace of ideas'. Go read it here. As for the evolution from polytheisme into monotheism, that depends which area you're referring to. If you're talking about Christiany, I believe it all began when God kicked Adam and Eve out of paradise and they finally realised there was a supreme power. But then again, I could be mistaken. Some of your homework, you just need to do yourself? ;)

Mon, 14-06-2010 20:14

gUesssss who? mE:

I just wanted to know... (it's not homework!)
Please, explain to me the evolution of the religion from polytheism to monotheism (Jews, Christians and Pagans)

Thanks!

Tue, 15-06-2010 17:57

guessssss who... mE:

Oh! and can you do a little description of the main characters of the film!
Thanks! =)

Tue, 15-06-2010 18:45

Roman:

Hello everybody , thanks for all infos you provided about Hypatia , it's amazing tragedic historical story
i liked it so much , and i also watched the movie Agora, no matter if it's quoted from real historical or not<
but i think the general idea is obvious , deserves and worths reading and watching it.
thanks so much
pleasured to pass my thoughts in this topic
Roman

Mon, 05-07-2010 23:47

Mozzis:

All right, here is an opinion from someone with very good English: the movie is crap. Predictable, cliched, and wildly inaccurate crap. The lack of historical basis has been recounted time and time again on the internet; for one example, look at http://bit.ly/9uXXE7 and note that the author is anything but a Christian. Yes, Weisz is attractive, but in this she is by turns wooden and over the top. How can you watch something so brainlessly false when it is not even enjoyable?

Thu, 29-07-2010 21:21

Pavel:

not mentioning BC instead of AD

Sun, 05-09-2010 16:18

pipai:

love the the film... tragic end though...

Fri, 10-09-2010 03:31

Ruggero:

I finally saw the film on DVD here in Italy. I enjoyed the movie. I agree the review is confused - like, did he see the film? Not the same movie I saw from his description. Anyway, the film has obviously a message to it which we see in the world today as well as throughout history - religious intolerance and fanaticism. Tragically, all the lives that have been lost to religious fanaticim are such a waste - which this film clearly shows in the life and death of Hypatia - and initiated by the delusion of a belief in a monotheistic god.

Tue, 30-11-2010 09:42

Ayman Barghash:

In my opinion, when we are about to talk about history, we have to be 100% accurate. Especially when we talk about

worldly sceintific, philosophical, medical,..... etc. It's something which world would never and should never forget.

The reasons behind killing Hypatia and destroying and burning Alexandrian library .

It was the darkness of minds and hearts (frau Christianity) against light of knowledge and Truth (the real Path of religion).

Since God is the Truth in HIS Loneliness over HIS Holy throne,.... so He has no Companion, No wife, No son, No partner .

Philosophy and science should never contradict with this religious fact; But Christianity at those times wasn't seeking truth. They wanted only to PUt CHrist at the same level of worshiping of God which is blasphemy.

That's why the church of Alexandria at that time destoyed and burnede the Library of Alexandria and shut all windows of light and knowledge.

Tue, 07-12-2010 09:04

sarahbee22:

I've seen this and thought it was an excellent movie. Recommend history buffs check it out. ex back

Fri, 13-05-2011 02:08

Donmartini:

Yea just watched this movie and loved it, I agree with sarahbee22, if you are into your history then it is well worth wacthing Cambridge Diet Cost

Sun, 15-05-2011 08:53

mak:

I have a great impact on me of this article. I become fan of hypatia. He is a great philospher. The movie looks good, can you please provide me some more videos of this movie. Your blog is quite energetic and full of interesting articles.

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Mon, 16-05-2011 02:44

GregG:

This was a good movie, shows you how destructive the christians were. Burning all the ancient Libraries to limit human progress.

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Tue, 17-05-2011 07:04

Restore:

Hi all, isnt this all about a a historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hopes of pursuing freedom while also falling in love with his master, the famous female philosophy professor and atheist Hypatia of Alexandria.? Alexandria lol do you realise how many cities were called that? at least ten.. look into it it!

Tue, 17-05-2011 12:38

sarah Wilson:

Can I clone your article to my blog? Thank you. hospital plan

Wed, 18-05-2011 13:45

James Douglas:

Very interesting movie- Rachel Weisz is a brilliant actor and superb in this role.

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Sun, 22-05-2011 04:42

Sarah G:

Hypatia was very unique woman who fought to get the respect she was due among her male peers which she did eventually achieve, until her untimely demise. Very interesting film.

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Sun, 22-05-2011 04:46

Clementine:

I saw this movie. It is a must see. Rachel portrayed the role very well. Medical Scales

Sun, 22-05-2011 06:01

Gary:

I really liked Rachel Weisz the first time I saw her in Enemy At The Gates, she is so good.

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Sun, 22-05-2011 19:51

QueenSha:

To be honest I've never watched this movie, but I briefly previewed on this site looks attractive and classy. I am pleased with the colossal movie like this, I will soon watch it if the film has been entered in my country. Quiniela Nacional y Provincia

Tue, 24-05-2011 13:35

Namaste:

Nice post, good to know that this topic is being covered also in this web site.  Thanks for taking time to discuss this, keep up with this interesting work. Good job !
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Tue, 19-07-2011 05:16

Namaste:

Tue, 19-07-2011 05:19

Redman, Thomas:

I have watched the movie Agora, no matter if it's quoted from real historical or not but deserves and worth reading and watching it. lenjerie intima

Wed, 20-07-2011 23:53

Jenet:

Agora is Good movie. Article is interesting. Life history is motivational.
Keep doing good work. :)
Lenjerie Intima

Thu, 21-07-2011 22:12

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Sat, 23-07-2011 05:13

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Mon, 25-07-2011 16:35

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Mon, 25-07-2011 17:09

mike walden:

Hypatia's prominence was accentuated by the fact that she was both female and pagan in an increasingly Christian environment. Shortly before her death, Cyril was made the Christian bishop of Alexandria, and a conflict arose between Cyril and the prefect Orestes. Orestes was disliked by some Christians and was a friend of Hypatia, and rumors started that Hypatia was to blame for the conflict. In the spring of 415 C.E., the situation reached a tragic conclusion when a band of Christian monks seized Hypatia on the street, beat her, and dragged her body to a church where they mutilated her flesh with sharp tiles and burned her remains.

Tue, 26-07-2011 19:59

kristina.tomlin:

A truely wonderful film, but a rather sad ending.
 
Hypatia was set upon by the mobsters as she was going in her carriage from her lecture-hall to her home. She was dragged to a nearby church where mob-rule took control. Stripped, beaten and hacked to pieces her dismembered body was burned to hide all traces of the crime.
The year was 415. A distressed Orestes, officially still in charge of the province, ordered the execution of Hierax, a Christian monk, for complicity in the murder but within days Orestes himself was murdered. The triumphant Bishop Cyril let it be known that "Hypatia had gone to Athens", that there had been no mob, no tragedy and that the prefect had resigned and fled. The expulsion of the Jews continued and the Bishop himself nominated a successor to Orestes. From Pulcheria Cyril elicited a new decree, which raised the number of his personal parabalani mobsters from 500 to 600.
Religious tyranny had enthroned itself in the erstwhile world-capital of intellectualism.

Thu, 28-07-2011 10:59

chat:

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Sun, 31-07-2011 22:02

stye remedies:

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Sun, 31-07-2011 23:53

Home Remedies for Scabies:

This movie has now made it into my top 100 of all time.

Mon, 01-08-2011 00:04

negozio strumenti musicali:

Agora is my favorite movie of 2009. I Really impressed with it's brilliant story. Specially this movie end is marvelous and incredible. I loved to watched this movie again and again.

Mon, 01-08-2011 04:27

mlm rankings:

Famous stories like romeo juliet & shakespear could come over here and lose the battle. Really staggerring emotion.

Mon, 01-08-2011 10:37

pmason212:

Interesting, the movie came out in 2009 but I have never heard of it nor seen it advertised. I will see if it is on iTunes and download it. Might be worth checking out. Thanks! <a href="http://www.livingbadbreathfree.com/">halitosis</a> <a href="http://www.myacnetreatmentreview.com/proactiv-solution/">proactive acne solution</a>

Tue, 02-08-2011 06:27

Interesting Articles And Blog Posts

The Agora of Athens: A Marketplace For Ideas

The Agora of Athens gives its name to a forthcoming major movie directed by Alejandro Amenábar. We examine its role in the birth of democracy.

Top 10 Portrayals of Hypatia of Alexandria

Heritage Key looks at ten top portrayals of Greek mathematician, philosopher and astronomer Hypatia ahead of the release of Alejandro Amenábar's movie Agora.

Interesting Publications