To celebrate Women’s History month, we wanted to provide you with some intellectual women of history that you may not have heard of before. Who was the first woman to write a history? Which was an astronomer and poet that wrote 12 books before the age of 29? Who led the Platonic school in Alexandria before her murder? Read on to find out!
1. Anna Comnena
Anna Comnena was an influential Byzantine princess who lived from 1083-1153. Born “in the purple” – that is, born when her father Alexius Comnenus was already Emperor – Anna received a top-notch education in philosophy, medicine, and science, going on to be recognized by other medieval scholars as one of the most learned people in her day.
As a result of her natural intellect and comprehensive education, her father placed Anna in charge of an orphanage and large hospital, where she taught medicine. After failing to ascend the throne upon her father’s death (some say she tried to usurp her brother John II Comnenus), she was exiled to a monastery. Not content with a quiet exile, she wrote The Alexiad, a history of her father’s reign. It is the first known history written by a woman and is the best contemporary source we have of the period, which included the First Crusade. Besides being an expert in multiple subjects, Anna also taught herself ancient Greek so she could study ancient Greek philosophy, a subject generally not encouraged for men, let alone women, given the Christian sentiments of the period.
A copy of The Alexiad, an important history of the Byzantine Empire written by Anna Comnena (Picture: Sailko, Wikimedia Commons)
“But the tale of history forms a very strong bulwark against the stream of time, and to some extent checks its irresistible flow, and, of all things done in it, as many as history has taken over, it secures and binds together, and does not allow them to slip away into the abyss of oblivion.” Preface, The Alexiad
To learn more about Anna Comnena, see the resources below:
History-Makers: Anna Komnena – YouTube
The Alexiad (free online version)
2. Wang Zhenyi
Wang Zhenyi was an astronomer and poet who lived from 1768-1797 during the Qing Dynasty. Although she only lived to the age of 29, she wrote at least 12 books on astronomy and mathematics plus dozens of poems. Not only was she famous for her original studies of the equinoxes and eclipses, but she also rewrote some of her favorite works in simpler language so that more people could understand them. She famously calculated the timing of eclipses using tables and mirrors in her garden!
Unfortunately, much of Wang Zhenyi’s work is lost to us, and the rest is not widely available in English. Never fear! Your IRH scholars are hard at work producing their own English translation of Wang Zhenyi’s poetry. Here’s an example:
“A Summer Evening at Bu Shuanzi“
By Wang Zhenyi
After the rain, the evening is cold,
A thin wind blows against my dress.
As I pick small jasmine flowers in front of the courtyard,
Its soft wisps pass through each stem.
The fanned leaves of a banana plant
Rest idly against the lotus pool.
It looks like the pond is wet enough,
But the seeds still haven’t sprouted.
In the coming months, we will translate some more of her poems and put them on the site!
3. Hildegard of Bingen
Hildegard of Bingen was an abbess, writer, healer, composer, and philosopher that lived from 1098-1179. She is recognized as a Saint by the Catholic Church. Though she was most famous in her time for her visionary theology, Hildegard has become well-known for her many musical compositions, both secular and religious, which have survived to the present day. In fact, she has her own IMDB profile given how often her music is used in movies and shows. You can find a compilation of her best known works here.
A portrait of Hildegard of Bingen – Hildegard’s most famous work, Ordo Virtutum, is thought to be a forerunner of opera
From a scientific perspective, Hildegard’s two practical books on healing and medicine are some of the best records we have on the field in the Medieval period. Most healers were women, and most women could not write, so Hildegard’s books are one of the only ways for historians to understand common medicinal practices of the time.
For a great summary of Hildegard’s life, use this resource from Classic FM:
Hildegard of Bingen: life and music of the great female composer – Classic FM
For a modern, satirical reinterpretation of Hildegard’s works, see “Hildegard von BLING-en”, a YouTube channel.
4. Hypatia of Alexandria
Hypatia was a Greek philosopher and mathematician that lived in the Late Roman Empire (~360 to 415 AD). As the leader of the Platonic school in Alexandria, Hypatia was the city’s foremost scholar and teacher. Though her work is mostly lost to us, she received widespread acclaim for her philosophical and mathematical lectures at the time. One pupil of hers described her as, “a person so renowned, her reputation seemed literally incredible. We have seen and heard for ourselves she who honorably presides over the mysteries of philosophy.”
As a leading figure in the city, Hypatia was consulted by Alexandria’s governor on how to handle an increasing militant Christian faction within the city that was harassing the city’s pagans and Jews. Despite being a pagan, Hypatia counseled restraint. When the governor later retaliated against the Christian faction for an attempt on his life, the Christians blamed Hypatia and murdered and dismembered her in the streets. Hypatia’s murder shocked the Roman world and largely ended Alexandria’s prominence as a philosophical center of the Empire. The movie Agora, starring Rachel Weisz and Oscar Isaac recently depicted her story.
Hypatia, by Charles Mitchell – the painting depicts Hypatia appealing to her tormentors at an altar
For more, check out this video about Hypatia and her demise:
The murder of ancient Alexandria’s greatest scholar – Soraya Field Fiorio – YouTube
