Hypatia

Hypatia was a Neoplatonist philosopher, astronomer and mathematician who taught in Alexandria. She was probably more a teacher and commentator than an innovator, editing at least Book III of Ptolemys Almagest and writing a commentary on Diophantuss Arithmetica, and she taught the construction of instruments such as the plane astrolabe and the hydrometer. Widely respected by pagans and Christians alike, she held real influence in Alexandrias political and intellectual life and served as an adviser to the Roman prefect.