Hypatia by Landrum

About the book

Dardania, the narrator of the novel, has been purchased as a slave by Hypatia, a woman who teaches philosophy at the University of Alexandria. Dardania quickly learns of the political dangers that Hypatia faces as a pagan in a city filled with religious conflict. She also recalls, in flashback, how she came to know Hypatia. The story of how Dardania came to serve Hypatia is interspersed throughout the text.

Incidents of political violence occur, but Orestes, the governor of the city who is in love with Hypatia, is able to take Hypatia with him to a private showing of Antigone. Afterwards, the two of them come near to consummating their love but are prevented from doing so by news of a riot and battle between the Christians and Jews of Alexandria. Cyril, Bishop of the city, overrides Orestes's authority and order his people to loot and burn the Jewish quarter. Most of the Jews in Alexandria flee the city. Orestes is so caught up in the aftermath of this incident that he and Hypatia must set their relationship aside for a time.

Hypatia's friend Dolias informs her that she and her servant girl are going to Rome where an oracle is speaking. The oracle requires a "vessel" through whom the possessing spirit speaks. When Dardania learns that her friend Khryseis, Dolia's servant, is to be the vessel, she helps her to escape to a convent and hide from Dolias. Hypatia then volunteers to be the vessel. She and Dardania, along with Dolias, prepare to leave for Rome.

Hypatia goes to Orestes and informs him of what she intends to do and says they must break off all contact for a time. Orestes warns her that women who subject themselves to possession by an oracle often lose their sanity. The two of them end up expressing their love for each other and Hypatia goes away shaken, realizing that her feelings for Orestes are strong.

At the oracle in Rome, the spirit possesses Hypatia and speaks through her, but she emerges from the ordeal in a catatonic state. Dardania cares for her and eventually she recovers her mind but leaves frightened and resolved that she must establish her relationship with Orestes. Back in Alexandria she is called into civil court to defend her actions during the expulsion of the Jews from Alexandria and does so capably. This incident makes her a political symbol and rallying point for those in the city who oppose Cyril. A political faction begins to gather around her, putting her life even more at risk. The night after the trial, however, she and Orestes at last consummate their desire and become lovers.

Orestes and Hypatia are able to conceal their liaison and secretly plan to leave the city for Gaul or England. But the climate in Alexandria is growing more violent. After several violent incidents, Hypatia is murdered. Dardania is badly hurt by the mob that kills Hypatia but eventually recovers.

Dardania struggles through the trauma the incident has caused her. Finally, on a warning from Orestes, now living in Gaul, she leaves Alexandria and goes to join him resolved that the memory of Hypatia must not die.