# Hypatia — Hypatia character guide > Hypatia in Hypatia by Charles Kingsley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hypatia the Gentile, the Gentile, poor Hypatia, fairest Hypatia **First appearance:** 0005-iii-the-goths ## Snapshot Alexandria's brilliant pagan philosopher, whose lectures on the old gods draw disciples and enemies alike while her own circle dwindles around her. ## Who they are Hypatia commands the Museum's gardens and lecture halls, gathering students and questioners who fancy themselves reenacting the days of Athenian sages, yet she watches her most valuable allies slip away one by one. She sees in the raw young monk Philammon a promising soul to educate, but her longing to convert the cynical Raphael Aben-Ezra to philosophic faith in the old gods reveals how desperately she needs instruments for turning back the stream of human error. Her pride and her shrinking circle of pedants and logicians leave her dangerously exposed as Christian power closes in. ## Relationships ### [Philammon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/philammon) _psychological_ Hypatia is an object of Philammon's intense fascination and spiritual obsession, while she views him as a curious pupil and potential convert. ### [Raphael Aben-Ezra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/raphael_aben_ezra) _romantic_ Hypatia and Raphael share a deep mutual admiration and intellectual attraction, though their romance is complicated by their differing beliefs. ### [Pelagia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/pelagia) _rivalry_ Hypatia and Pelagia are rivals for Philammon's attention and represent opposing ideals of womanhood—intellectual purity versus sensual passion. ### [God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/god) _psychological_ Hypatia's relationship with God is one of philosophical questioning and eventual conversion, marked by intellectual doubt and spiritual seeking. ### [Orestes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/orestes) _professional_ Hypatia and Orestes have a political alliance, with Orestes seeking her counsel and support in governing Alexandria. ### [Philammon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/philammon) _psychological_ Hypatia is an object of Philammon's intense fascination and spiritual obsession, while she views him as a curious pupil and potential convert. ### [God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/god) _psychological_ Hypatia's relationship with God is one of philosophical questioning and eventual conversion, marked by intellectual doubt and spiritual seeking. ### [Orestes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/orestes) _professional_ Hypatia and Orestes have a political alliance, with Orestes seeking her counsel and support in governing Alexandria. ### [Orestes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/orestes) _professional_ Hypatia and Orestes have a political alliance, with Orestes seeking her counsel and support in governing Alexandria. ### [Pelagia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/pelagia) _rivalry_ Hypatia and Pelagia are rivals for Philammon's attention and represent opposing ideals of womanhood—intellectual purity versus sensual passion. ### [Raphael Aben-Ezra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/raphael_aben_ezra) _romantic_ Hypatia and Raphael share a deep mutual admiration and intellectual attraction, though their romance is complicated by their differing beliefs. ### [Philammon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/philammon) _psychological_ Hypatia is an object of Philammon's intense fascination and spiritual obsession, while she views him as a curious pupil and potential convert. ## In the story ### [Hypatia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/hypatia) Central figure, philosopher and teacher, navigating the intellectual and political landscape of Alexandria. ### [II: The Dying World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/ii-the-dying-world) Receives Orestes and advises him on political matters; depicted in her private chamber, embodying classical beauty and philosophical detachment. ### [IV: Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/iv-miriam) Receives Orestes' proposal via Miriam, struggles with the decision, and considers herself a potential sacrifice for the gods. ### [VII: Those by Whom Offences Come](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/vii-those-by-whom-offences-come) The target of Philammon's planned confrontation, she is described as a sorceress and siren by the Christians, but her influence over Orestes and the city is acknowledged. ### [VIII: The East Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/viii-the-east-wind) Delivers a lecture on Homeric allegory, dismissing Philammon's protest, and is preoccupied with thoughts of Raphael. ### [IX: The Snapping of the Bow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/ix-the-snapping-of-the-bow) Her voice and image haunt Philammon, symbolizing the allure of knowledge and a different worldview. ### [X: The Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/x-the-interview) Observes Philammon with interest, seeing potential in him; questions his purpose and dismisses accusations against her as slander. ### [The Bower of Acrasia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xii-the-bower-of-acrasia) Mentioned by Pelagia as the famous philosopher, she is seen as a conceited creature who talks about abstract things, contrasting with the physicality of the Goths. ### [XIV: The Rocks of the Sirens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xiv-the-rocks-of-the-sirens) Acts as a motherly mentor to Philammon, guiding his studies and dreaming of using him to further her cause of restoring the old gods. She feels a growing self-satisfaction as she watches his transformation. ### [Nephelococcugia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xv-nephelococcugia) Engages in philosophical discourse, defends Neoplatonic views, and is visibly disturbed by Miriam's approach. ### [XIX: Jews Against Christians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xix-jews-against-christians) Is mentioned by Orestes as his 'bride elect,' a fate that troubles Philammon. ### [XX: She Stoops to Conquer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xx-she-stoops-to-conquer) Torn between her philosophical ideals and the corrupting reality of political maneuvering, she feels humiliated by Orestes' manipulations and her own passive complicity. ### [Pandemonium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxii-pandemonium) Sits beside Orestes at the spectacle, looking wan and constrained, and is visibly unnerved by Philammon's intrusion and the ensuing events. ### [XXV: Seeking After a Sign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxv-seeking-after-a-sign) In a state of profound crisis, she attempts a final mystical vision, is confronted by the phantom of Pelagia, and desperately pleads for a sign from the gods, only to be met with silence. ### [XXVI: Miriam's Plot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxvi-miriam-s-plot) Though not present, she is the central object of Philammon's internal conflict and renewed devotion. ### [XXVII: The Prodigal's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxvii-the-prodigal-s-return) Dismisses Raphael's warnings and his new faith, remaining steadfast in her philosophical convictions. She is determined to deliver her lecture despite the danger. ### [XXVIII: Woman's Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxviii-woman-s-love) Mentioned as having been murdered by Christians, her death impacts the decisions of the Amal and Pelagia. ### [XXIX: Nemesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxix-nemesis) Accuses Philammon of treachery and is seized by the mob, dragged to the Caesareum. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned as the recipient of an authentic letter from Synesius. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters/hypatia - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hypatia_se/characters