He envied the mathematician's wisdom and extensive astronomical knowledge, but above all her popularity with the Alexandrian people. He wanted to be the leader of the Alexandrian community, but Hypatia had already taken her place among the elite.
This fuelled his ambition and led to frustration and pathological envy. Cyril's followers and himself launched a smear campaign against the scholar. Rumours were spread of her secret powers (sorcery) and satanic influence over the imperial governor Orestes and the whole city.
