Moses Ben Maimon (also known as Moses Maimonides) was a Spanish-born Jewish rabbi, healer, scientist and preeminent philosopher of the 12th an 13th century AD. He was born in Cordoba, but fled to Egypt in order to practice Judaism openly.
Some of his theories - in particular the idea that it's impossible for truths derived from human intellect to contradict those revealed by God - have become cornerstones of Jewish thought, even though they were largely overlooked in their time. His skills as a healer were so respected he worked as private physician to the Muslim sultan of Egypt and Syria Saladin for a period; he would also aid the poor, who would visit his synagogue in Cairo in droves.
Maimon died in 1204, and was briefly buried in his synagogue, before later being reinterred in the Holy Land.
Recently Google is featuring more and more 'ancient history' in their daily logo-designs. I joked about the Staffordshire Treasure getting it's own - following Ida to eternal internet fame - but apparently, today we're celebrating the famous Chinese thinker and social philosopher Confucius' 2,560th birthday. Philosopher Kong Qui through his teachings founded Confucianism, a complex system of moral, social, political and philosophical thoughts that has a tremendous influence on the history - and even still on today's culture - of East Asia.
Hypatia was a 4th and 5th century AD philosopher, mathematician, astrologer and scientist, and one of the most famous female intellectuals in history.
She was born in Alexandria, Egypt around 350 AD, the daughter of Theon, who was the curator of the Museum of Alexandria, an important seat of learning in the Roman Empire. Theon schooled Hypatia as his star pupil from a young age, and she demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for maths, philosophy, astronomy and technological sciences. After travelling to Athens and Italy to further her studies, she returned to Alexandria, where she became a highly-respected teacher, lecturer, writer and inventor. She penned many well-thought-of commentaries in collaboration with her father, and was appointed Director of the Neoplatonist School of Alexandria in 400 AD. Hypatia was by all accounts (although few of them survive) extremely beautiful, and had many suitors from the great and good of Alexandria society, but she rejected them all, and reportedly remained chaste throughout her life.
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:
Recently Google is featuring more and more 'ancient history' in their daily logo-designs. 
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?
