She was known for her extraordinary beauty, but devoted her entire life to science. Hypatia had an uncompromising view of the relationship between men and women, which she expressed in sometimes controversial ways.
Pierre Chuvin (French Hellenist and historian) quotes the following anecdote: "To an audience member who had fallen in love with her, she is said to have shown her sanitary towel and said: 'That's what you've fallen in love with, young man, and it's not pretty!' Her behaviour indicated that she was at least as proud of her virginity as a Christian nun.
