By John Spurling.
"There was a woman of Alexandria named Hypatia, who made such attainments in literature and science, as to far surpass all the philosophers of her time" (Socrates Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History Fifth Century AD).

The year is AD 412 and the glorious city of Alexandria is a lively centre of learning and intellectual curiosity with the brilliant philosopher and mathematician Hypatia at its very heart. With the appointment of a fanatical new archbishop, fears arise that the days of tolerance are past.