Directed by
Alejandro Amenábar
Made by
Newmarket Films
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Agora (2010). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Meanwhile, a wave of social unrest begins to challenge the Roman authority in Alexandria as Pagans and Christians clash throughout the city. As tensions rise, the Christians start to desecrate the statues of the pagan deities, provoking a backlash from the pagans, led by figures like Orestes and the father of Hypatia. In an attempt to suppress the Christians’ escalating influence, the pagans ambush them; however, during the confrontation, they find themselves vastly outnumbered by a large and aggressive Christian mob. This confrontation results in Hypatia’s father sustaining serious injuries, compelling Hypatia and the surviving pagans to seek refuge in the Library of the Serapeum.
The siege on the library eventually comes to an end when an envoy from the Roman Emperor announces that the pagans will be pardoned. However, their relief is short-lived as the Christians are granted permission to invade the library and do with it as they wish. In a frantic race against time, Hypatia and her allies attempt to salvage the most valuable scrolls from the impending destruction before the Christians can take over and obliterate the library’s precious contents. Additionally, Davus, a former slave, makes a shocking choice by siding with the Christian forces. He later returns wielding a gladius and attempts to assault Hypatia. In a moment of compassion, he breaks down in tears and offers her his sword. Hypatia responds by removing his slave collar and granting him freedom.
Years pass, and Orestes, having converted to Christianity, now holds the position of prefect in Alexandria. Meanwhile, Hypatia continues her relentless pursuit of knowledge, focusing on celestial movements, including the Sun, Moon, known planets, and the stars. The Christians mock her findings, particularly the theory that the Earth is a sphere, arguing that people living far from the top would simply fall off. When they consult Davus for his opinion, he evades trouble by stating that only God knows such matters.
Hypatia’s groundbreaking exploration into the heliocentric model of the solar system, initially proposed by Aristarchus of Samos, leads her to conduct an experiment with a dropped object from a moving ship, demonstrating to Orestes that the motion of the Earth would not influence the falling object’s trajectory. However, as religious sentiments intensify against heliocentrism, Christians prohibit her from teaching at the school. The conflict between Christians and Jews escalates, resulting in violent confrontations.
Cyril, one of the leading figures among the Christians, perceives Hypatia’s influence over Orestes as a threat. He orchestrates a public ceremony aimed at compelling Orestes to subdue her. Fortunately, Synesius, Hypatia’s former pupil and now the Bishop of Cyrene, steps in to support her, but he insists that she accept Christianity for his assistance, which she firmly declines. Amidst these struggles, Hypatia makes a groundbreaking theoretical discovery, positing that the Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical path. Unfortunately, Cyril manages to rally a mob of Christians against her, leading them to decide on stoning her for her beliefs.
As the mob disperses to collect stones, Davus acts swiftly, suffocating Hypatia to spare her from the agony of being stoned to death, convincing the crowd that she has merely fainted. He then escapes before the mob realizes the truth, leaving the dark events of that day to unfold.
Follow the complete movie timeline of Agora (2010) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Social Unrest Begins
Social unrest erupts in Alexandria as tensions rise between Pagans and Christians. This conflict is sparked by the Christians defiling the statues of Pagan gods, leading to retaliation from the Pagan community.
Pagan Ambush
In response to the growing Christian influence, Orestes and Hypatia's father lead a surprise ambush against the Christians. Though they initially appear strong, the Pagans soon find themselves overpowered by a large Christian mob.
Hypatia's Father Injured
During the ambush, Hypatia's father suffers grave injuries. In the chaos, Hypatia and the remaining Pagans take refuge in the Library of the Serapeum to protect themselves and their heritage.
Siege of the Library
The Library of the Serapeum comes under siege from the Christian mob. An envoy from the Roman Emperor announces a pardon for the Pagans but grants Christians access to the library, allowing them to wreak havoc on its treasured contents.
Flight from Destruction
As the Christians invade the library, Hypatia and the surviving Pagans rush to save important scrolls. They attempt to flee the library to preserve their knowledge before the Christians can destroy it.
Davus Joins Christians
Davus, a former slave, makes a significant decision to join the Christian forces. His loyalty is put to the test as he confronts Hypatia, but ultimately he offers her his sword, showcasing his internal conflict.
Hypatia Grants Freedom
In a poignant moment of compassion, Hypatia removes Davus's slave collar and tells him he is free. This act symbolizes her belief in freedom and individual choice amidst the turmoil around them.
Orestes Converts to Christianity
Years later, Orestes has converted to Christianity and is now the prefect of Alexandria. Despite his new beliefs, Hypatia remains dedicated to her scientific pursuits, investigating the cosmos.
Hypatia's Research
Hypatia continues her studies on celestial motions, investigating the theories of the heavens, including the spherical nature of the Earth. Despite ridicule from some Christians, she remains undeterred in her scientific inquiries.
Religious Conflicts Escalate
The situation deteriorates as violence erupts between Christians and Jews. The tensions evolve into open conflict, which poses further danger to Hypatia and her work.
Cyril's Influence Grows
Cyril, the leader of the Christians, perceives Hypatia as a threat due to her influence over Orestes. He orchestrates a public event aimed at forcing Orestes to submit to his authority and diminish Hypatia's status.
Synesius's Attempt to Help
Hypatia's former pupil, Synesius, now the Bishop of Cyrene, arrives to offer her support. However, his assistance comes with the stipulation that she must embrace Christianity, which Hypatia firmly refuses.
Hipatia's Discovery
During her research, Hypatia theorizes that the Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical pattern. This groundbreaking realization contrasts sharply with the prevailing religious dogma of her time.
Mob's Decision for Violence
Convinced by Cyril to act against Hypatia, a mob of Christians gathers with intentions of stoning her. Their animosity escalates, leading to a dire situation for Hypatia.
Davus's Final Act
In a tragic turn, Davus decides to suffocate Hypatia to spare her from a painful death by stoning. His actions reveal the depth of his internal conflict and tragic love for her, as he leaves the scene to prevent further suffering.
Explore all characters from Agora (2010). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Hypatia
Hypatia is a brilliant mathematician and philosopher who challenges the traditional beliefs of her time. Her dedication to scientific inquiry and rational thought places her at odds with the Christian authority, ultimately leading to her tragic end. She symbolizes the struggle for knowledge against oppressive forces.
Orestes
Initially a Pagan leader, Orestes undergoes a transformation as he converts to Christianity and becomes the prefect of Alexandria. His character highlights the complexities of belief and power dynamics as he attempts to balance his responsibilities and the influence of others around him.
Cyril
Cyril is the ambitious leader of the Christian community in Alexandria who sees Hypatia as a threat to their growing power. His manipulative tactics and fervent belief in his cause drive him to incite violence against those who oppose him, ultimately leading to Hypatia's tragic fate.
Davus
Davus is a conflicted character who transitions from slave to an active participant in the conflicts between Pagans and Christians. His loyalty to Hypatia shines through his actions, but he is ultimately torn between his newfound beliefs and his feelings for her.
Learn where and when Agora (2010) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Late Roman Empire
The movie is set during the Late Roman Empire, a tumultuous period characterized by social unrest and religious conflict. It was a time when the power dynamics between Pagans and Christians shifted significantly, leading to societal upheaval and the decline of traditional Roman beliefs.
Location
Alexandria, Library of the Serapeum
Alexandria is a historic city in Egypt known for its rich cultural heritage and intellectual legacy, particularly during the Hellenistic period. The Library of the Serapeum served as a major center of learning and housed countless scrolls and texts, making it an important symbol of knowledge and scholarship in ancient times.
Discover the main themes in Agora (2010). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Knowledge vs. Faith
The theme of knowledge versus faith is prominently explored through Hypatia's struggle to teach and advocate for scientific understanding in a society dominated by religious fervor. Her dedication to philosophy and astronomy embodies the pursuit of knowledge, which clashes with the rising influence of Christianity, leading to her tragic fate.
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Conflict
The film portrays the intense conflicts arising from religious differences, depicting how Pagans and Christians vie for power and influence. This theme resonates through the violent confrontations and moral dilemmas faced by the characters, illustrating the destructive consequences of fanaticism.
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Freedom
Hypatia's relationship with Davus highlights themes of freedom and oppression. As she liberates him from slavery, the notion of personal autonomy becomes intertwined with the struggles against societal constraints, reflecting both individual desires and the broader fight for intellectual and spiritual freedom.
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