Of all the many, many ancient (and recent) ladies of learning who deserve recognition, we have a soft spot for Hypatia. Philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, researcher, acid reader, beloved teacher, friend and valued counselor to rulers; she was a paragon of learning and would doubtless have been just as at home teaching at Harvard and giving TED talks in the modern era as she was corresponding with students the slow old-fashioned way and constructing hydrometers on request.
We'd like to think she'd enjoy wearing this sophisticated treat made from some of the local and imported goods available in ancient Alexandria, and we wish we could gift it to her across the ages: cinnamon-and-nutmeg poached pear, sweet dark myrrh, and warm Egyptian musk.
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