Hypatia: Or, New Foes with an Old Face: Analysis of Major Characters
"Hypatia: Or, New Foes with an Old Face" presents a historical narrative centered around the life of Hypatia, a renowned Greek philosopher and mathematician in ancient Alexandria. The story explores the intertwining lives of several characters, reflecting the cultural and religious tensions of the time. Philammon, a young monk, leaves his secluded life to experience the diverse society of Alexandria, becoming embroiled in its conflicts. Hypatia, the protagonist, is depicted as a champion of the Greek gods, caught in a struggle against the encroaching influence of Christianity, particularly under the patriarch Cyril. Key characters include Raphael Aben-Ezra, a wealthy Jew who becomes Hypatia's pupil, and Miriam, a bitter Jewish woman with a complex past. The narrative also introduces Orestes, the Roman prefect driven by ambition, and Amal, a Gothic chief seeking his own path. The story ultimately illustrates the tragic consequences of clashing ideologies and the personal costs of societal upheaval, culminating in Hypatia's tragic fate. Through these characters, the text delves into themes of faith, identity, and the struggle for power within a historically rich context.
Hypatia: Or, New Foes with an Old Face: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Charles Kingsley
First published: 1853
Genre: Novel
Locale: Egypt and Italy
Plot: Historical
Time: Fifth century
Philammon (fih-LA-mon), a young monk who leaves the monastic life to see the rich, varied society of Alexandria. Excited by a Christian attack on the city's Jews, he joins the despoilers. Accused of heresy because of his interest in Hypatia, he almost loses his life. After Hypatia's death, he returns to his monastery and later becomes abbot there.
Hypatia (hi-PAY-shee-uh), a beautiful Greek philosopher and teacher, one of the last to champion the Greek gods. She agrees to marry Orestes if he will renounce his Christian faith and aid her in restoring the Greek gods. Her gods, which exist only in her own mind, fail her, and she is torn to pieces by some of Cyril's monks.
Raphael Aben-Ezra (RA-feh-ehl ah-behn-EEZ-rah), a wealthy young Jew. He is Miriam's son, though he does not know it. He becomes Hypatia's pupil but turns from the Greek gods to Christianity.
Miriam (MIH-rih-ehm), an old Jewish crone formerly converted to Christianity until she renounced it and developed a hatred of everyone except Jews. She tells Philammon of his slave status, sends Orestes the false report of Heraclian's victory, and informs Raphael that she is his mother. She dies of wounds received during an attack by the Goths.
Amal (A-muhl), a young Gothic chief who travels up the Nile searching for Asgard, home of the old Gothic gods. In a fight with Philammon, he falls from a tower and dies.
Pelagia (peh-LAY-jee-uh), Amal's mistress and (though he does not at first know it) sister of Philammon; a beautiful courtesan to whose home Philammon flees to avoid being forced to return to his monastery. After Amal's death, she becomes a solitary penitent in the desert. At her death, she is buried with Philammon.
Orestes (oh-REHS-teez), the Roman prefect of Alexandria who envisions a rise in his own fortunes and power if Heraclian succeeds in overthrowing the Goths.
Aufugus (OH-fuh-guhs), a monk who warns Philammon not to go to Alexandria and later attempts to rescue him from Hypatia's influence. Though Philammon does not know it until informed by Miriam, he is Aufugus' slave bought many years earlier.
Cyril (SIH-rihl), the Christian patriarch of Alexandria, who reports to Orestes a Jewish plot to slaughter Alexandria's Christians. By the death of Hypatia, he gains a temporary victory over the Greek religion.
Heraclian (hu-RA-klee-on), a Roman leader who plans to destroy the Gothic conquerors of Rome and make himself emperor. He is defeated.
Victoria, the beautiful blond daughter of Majoricus, saved from two barbarian soldiers by Raphael, who later marries her.
Majoricus (muh-JOH-rih-kuhs), a Roman prefect rescued from a heap of rubble by Raphael and Victoria. He is later killed in battle.
Augustine (oh-GUHS-tihn), the famous philosopher-monk. He persuades Raphael to turn Christian.