Agora at Cannes - Hypatia, First Woman Scientist and Philosopher

Set in the 4th century CE in Alexandria the epic film "Agora" tells of a story that is famous in the history of science but perhaps little known outside that field. It is the story of a world in transition, of a Mediterranean culture shifting from Hellenic to Christian ideals. The history of science has not been blessed with too many women and Hypatia stands out as scientist, philosopher and head of the Library of Alexandria as much as for her gruesome end at the hands of fundamentalist Christians. It was one of the last stands of philosophy against the tide of messianic faith. Philosophy lost.

The dating of the Christian calendar from the alleged birth of Jesus can give the illusion that Christianity was born fully formed. This is, of course, far from the truth and the 4th and 5th centuries were crucial in its development, especially the rise of the expansionist Roman Catholic Church and its triumph over Hellenic culture. There can surely be no more symbolic death than that of a female scientist inflicted by a patriarchal religion.

The film's director, Alejandro Amenabar, takes great pains to say that this is not specifically anti-Christian in its message but rather against fundamentalist religious thinking in general. In our current age, where we see certain powerful factions determined to create a synthetic clash of civilizations between Christianity and Islam, it is worth being reminded that there is a much deeper clash of cultures that runs through the whole of human history - the clash between knowledge and indoctrination. Hypatia was a champion of the former and a victim of the latter.

Agora was screened at Cannes and seems to have had mixed reviews. I don't know if this is for cinematographic reasons or because of the uncomfortable message.