In ancient Egypt under Roman rule, AGORA tells a story about astronomer Hypatia who is fighting to save the wisdom of the Ancient World, as violent religious troubles find their way to Alexandria.
In the last days of the Roman Empire, the Egyptian city of Alexandria has a decision to make between the aristocratic Pagan society and the Christians.
While there will be those uncomfortable with Agora's depiction of early Christianity, the movie accurately describes religion vs. the spirituality of science.
Regardless, Agora is a compelling film by Alejandro Amenabar starring Rachel Weisz.
The film presents the life of the Roman philosopher/mathematician/scientist Hypatia, a neo-Platonist philosopher of 4th century Alexandria who is working on a theory that explains the orbits of the planets in contradiction to the accepted beliefs at the time.
The question was, do the planets travel around the earth, or the sun?
Hypatia struggles with this question as the early Christians have gained strength and begin to challenge the Pagans.
It all gets ugly and the Christians gain power, they silence any differences of belief with violence.
Without giving away the movie, let's just say the story reflects the challenges we face today.
Is it good to question and doubt?
We think so, that's the only way we can uncover the truth.
