Monica Osorio Terreforte April 25, 2011

English 3104-112 Prof. Janine Santiago

Even the Most Persecuted Were Persecutors

“Agora” is at first glance a disturbing movie, however it is stimulating and faith

challenging. Alejandro Amenábar, the director, portrayed well the city of Alexandria in IV A. C.

and most certainly his eyes capture the essence of human nature in each character. The

disturbance the one feels is one of the best sensations he or she gets from this movie. Even the

most reluctant viewer would admit the intricacy of this film and its provocation of the intellect

imposes boldly.

Filled with ideas and constant provocations of this century we think is forgotten; “Agora”

certainly is more than its spectaculars effects. It is a film that shows the needs of mankind to

understand the universe and the notion of the possible existence of a single god. However, in the

first few scenes of the movie the viewer gets a story about two young men holding improper

affection towards their female professor. The fortunate –unfortunate if preferred– professor is

Hypatia, character portrayed by Rachel Weisz, she’s a noblewoman and philosopher of

Alexandria. Also, Hypatia is the only woman philosopher that we have knowledge off. Thanks to

her father Theon (Michael Lonsdale), she was able to pursue a life dedicated to the acquisition of

knowledge and questioning of it. Her serious beauty swayed Orestes (Oscar Isaac), her student,

and her slave Davus (Max Minghella), who is a secret Christian.

Hypatia is not only indifferent to men lust but also to the consequences of the crisis that

is threatening the peace of Alexandria, which would affect her directly. This city’s Pagan

aristocracy is confronted by a rebellious and raising militant Christian population guided by a

cult called Parabolani. To the pagan’s bad luck, the Roman Empire declares Christianity to be

the official religion. The funny aspect here is that the Parabolani becomes faith’s enforcers, as if

the Christian faith is the only faith to follow. Despite all this, Hypatia (dedicated as she is), was

true to her beliefs, which is guided by philosophy and to understand the laws that reigned the

movement of the planets.

There are a few intense scenes, but the most dramatic one is the annihilation of the

Alexandria’s library, the beholder of all knowledge of the world up to that century. Upon the

Roman Empire’s agreement the library is destroyed. This scene is a symbolic one because the

destruction of this library is the epitome of the Christian Revolution. The obliteration of most

documentation, serves to revert all that was gained and promote greater ignorance with the fear

of being stoned rather than fear of the wrath of God. Some might –myself included– question the

scripts because that Christian movement was violent unlike what we are told in church.

Moreover, it is human nature at its finest; these murderers (because it’s who they are) show that

in order to acquire power, terror and violence go hand in hand.

Mankind mayor downfall is power and the Parabolani were not immune to it. As if their

successes were not enough, this sect took their self-nominated faith enforcement seriously. After

winning over the pagans, they pinned even higher so went after the Jews. Intolerance was

marked in the Parabolani, and the prospect of being the only choice the citizens had was

appealing. Therefore, why don’t drive out the Jews? Every revolution is to spite the currents

leaders or mainstream, and the Christian wave was as ambitious as the ones before them.

“Agora” somewhat fulfills the expectations of a specific public, mostly a humanistic

centered audience. Although the film has a lot to show and make the viewer ponder, it made the
conflicts as if it were black and white, the characters entirely good or entirely bad. Besides that,

“Agora” is worthwhile to watch a few times, so it can be understood. Also, the film takes the

side of reason unconditionally and spites superstition. Alexandria in the Roman Empire reigns as

one of intolerance and the religion decides their citizen’s life (the film made a good job

demonstrating it). If there is need for a preferred happy ending its up to the viewer to decide it, as

wells as if it’s the kind of story that Shakespeare would be proud off.