Agora is a Greek word that literally translates to city square. In the film, it is the zealous crowd that gathers in the city square that ultimately leads to the destruction of the Library of Alexandria, the symbol of Greek civilization, and Hypatia, the leader of the Plato school.
In the late fourth century, the original national religion of the Roman Empire, polytheism, was dying, but Christianity was on the verge of sweeping the empire like the rising sun. In this social context, the library of Alexandria, which is a symbol of paganism, and the philosophy taught by Hypatia cannot be tolerated by Christian believers whose religious passions are increasing day by day. Although Hypatia's pupils were not without prominent Christians, the fanatical masses were never willing to succumb to logic, not to mention that her influence on the Doge had become an obstacle to Bishop Cyril's expansion of his own power. As a result, the Library of Alexandria was eventually destroyed, and Hypatia could not escape the murderous hands of the mob.
The history of mankind to this day has produced monstrous massacres and wars, and every page is written with blood dipped in ignorance and prejudice. Massacres based on beliefs are especially appalling, and people's lives can be taken simply because of differences of opinion. In the name of religion, the murder of humanity and the slaughter of pagans, from the madness and atrocities of the group, how similar are similar tragedies in the world? Isn't this a Cultural Revolution? The believers of polytheism have traditionally been in the elite and dominant position, while Christianity is rooted in the poor people, and with the feelings of redemption and self-redemption, ignited the flame of revolution under the suppression of the elite. And when this flame got out of control, tragedy happened. It showed blind, extreme and anti-intellectual tendencies. They rushed into the library, smashed and burned the idols and books, and human civilization was broken.
Like "Animal Farm", we see that Christianity flourished among the poor, but gradually it became a tool for the elites born out of it to seek profits. They used religion to dominate the public, turning the enemy of this group into the enemy of the entire religion. Partisans fight against differences, and blood washes the heretics in their eyes. When fanatical believers wear backpacks with stones and are ready to launch violent attacks on people of different faiths, they have become the thugs of others, but they think they are supporting the correct beliefs. How sad.
In stark contrast to the fanatical slaughter heresy of Christians, Hypatia began to take her students to discuss philosophy and study science, and later focused on the study of heliocentric theory and the laws of the celestial bodies. Paradoxically, the Christians who claim to be in dialogue with God are ignorant and only know how to kill, while Hypatia, who is considered disrespectful to God, is constantly exploring the origin of the world. As a contradiction between two spiritual worlds, when Utis distributed bread to the poor people who believed in Christianity, when he saw equality and love in this religion for the first time, his joy was sincere. However, when fanatical Christians occupied and destroyed the former lecture hall, and when the manuscripts and models representing civilization and wisdom were put to the torch, he was lost. So when people asked him what the sky and the earth were like, he knew the answer in his heart, but he could only give an ambiguous answer: "This kind of question can only be answered by God." Maybe he wanted to seek a compromise between the two, But when the two beliefs had become inseparable, he was torn between the two poles and had no choice. What should have been the guiding ideology of peace and progress has brought killing and madness, ignorance and regression. The flames of group violence are more often manifested as paranoia, a kind of intolerance that insists on others' submission. Whose fault is this? Obviously seeing that everything has deviate from the original intention, we still refuse to give up our faith, because we are weak, we need to worship others to fill the emptiness of our hearts, and this will inevitably give others an excuse to incite and deceive, maybe, wrong. Not religion, but our own tragedy.
When I explore the mysteries of science with supreme devotion and reverence, and when I have a skeptical attitude towards everything in the world, I want to ask you, what exactly is faith?
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