For centuries, Alexandria was a center of learning and scholarship, home to the renowned Museum and Library, which housed a vast collection of books and attracted scholars from around the world. This tradition of intellectual inquiry shaped Hypatia's upbringing and her own intellectual pursuits.

During Hypatia's lifetime, Christianity became increasingly influential in Alexandria, leading to clashes between Christians and pagans, and a gradual decline in support for classical learning. This religious and political tension would eventually contribute to Hypatia's tragic fate.

Hypatia became a symbol of the city's Hellenistic heritage, representing a tradition of reason, intellectual inquiry, and respect for classical learning. Her influence and popularity made her a target for those who opposed these values.

In the late 4th Century, during the reign of Theodosius I, the Serapeum, a large Greco-Egyptian temple in Alexandria, was destroyed by Christian mobs. This was part of a broader effort to suppress paganism and promote Christianity, creating tension within the city.