Cyril the main Instigator of Hypatia’s Murder, being envious of the Fame she had acquired by her Learning and Philosophy.

Be it so that the Clergy of Alexandria were the Murderers (some may say) and that their Affection for Cyril transported them beyond what can be justified; how does it appear that he himself had any Hand in this black Deed, which perhaps he neither knew nor could prevent? For the Sake of our common Humanity (since true Christiany is not at all concerned) I wish it were so; but there is such Evidence as will not let any Man, if not wilfully shutting his Eyes against Truth, to believe it. Damascius, who is the other contemporary Witness of her Murder, I meant besides Socrates, positively affirms, that “Cyril vow’d Hypatia’s Destruction, whom he bitterly envied;” and Suidas, who writes the same Thing, says, that this Envy was caused by her extraordinary Wisdom and Skill in Astronomy; as Hesychius, when he mentions her Limbs being carried all over the City in Triumph, writes, that this befel her on the Score of her extraordinary Wisdom, and especially her Skill in Astronomy. For Cyril was a mighty Pretender to Letters, and one of those Clergymen who will neither acknowledge nor bear the Superiority of any Laymen in this Respect, be it ever so incontestable to others. But some Circumstances of Hypatia’s Death, not mention’d in Socrates, are preserved in the Abridgment of Isidorus’s Life in Photius, such as Valesius had it; and which I here give you, Reader, though it should cost you the Tribute of one Tear more to her Memory. “Upon a Time (says Damascius) Cyril, passing by the House of Hypatia, saw a great Multitude before the Door both of Men on Foot and on Horseback; whereof some were coming, some going, and others staid. When he inquir’d what that Croud was, and what occasioned so great a Concourse? he was answered by such as accompanied him, that this was Hypatia the Philosopher’s House, and that these came to pay their Respects to her. Which when Cyril understood, he was moved with so great Envy, that he immediately vow’d her Destruction, which he accomplish’d in the most detestable Manner. For when Hypatia, as was her Custom, went abroad, several Men, neither fearing divine Vengeance nor human Punishment, suddenly rush’d upon her and kill’d her: Thus laying their Country both under the highest Infamy, and under the Guilt of innocent Blood. And indeed the Emperor was grievously offended at this Matter, and the Murderers had been certainly punished, but that Edefius did corrupt the Emperor’s Friends; so that his Majesty it’s true remitted the Punishment, but drew Vengeance on himself and his Posterity, his Nephew paying dear for this Action.” This Nephew Valetius believes to have been Valentinian, whose Mother Placidia was Aunt to Theodosius.