The aim of the article is to examine the system of relationships between Alexandrian secular intellectualism and Christian church in the early 5th century. The research is focused on a particular example of the confrontation between Hypatia and the Christian community of the Parabolani. The primary sources on the issue are «Historia Ecclesiastica» («Church History») of Socrates Scholasticus, «The Chronicle of John, Bishop of Nikiu» and «Life of Isidore» of Damascius, as well as the works of Synesius. Historiography of the issue is largely absent from the proper scientific works. Separate information on the confrontation between Christianity and the representatives of secular intellectualism is contained in the works of researchers of church history - V.V. Bolotov and P. Schaff. Some aspects of the private realm and creative way of Hypatia are mentioned in the monographs of M. Dzielska, C. Minardi and in the thesis research of Yu.Yu. Chueva. The opposition between Christian church and secular intellectualism in Alexandria in the fifth century was related to the increasing power of Christianity in the Roman Empire. In spite of the fact that Alexandria during this period lost its former significance of the most important intellectual center, many schools of thought continued to maintain and to develop some elements of the ancient legacy. One of the best examples of the confrontation between Christian church and Alexandrian intellectuals was the murder of Hypatia of Alexandria by a group of militant Christians - the Parabolani who were under the direct command of the bishop Cyril of Alexandria. As a consequence, this situation had a negative impact on the number of secular intellectuals, who began fleeing Alexandria after Hypatia’s death as well as on the credibility of the highest religious dignitaries that tarnished their reputation and had forced to suspend the fight with pagans for a while.
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