Here's why:
* Ancient manuscripts: Many ancient works were lost to time due to fires, wars, or simply neglect.
* Hypatia's focus: She was known for her teachings and commentaries on existing works rather than writing original books.
* Her untimely death: Her assassination in 415 AD might have led to the loss of her potential writings.
However, we do know about Hypatia through:
* Historical accounts: References to her life and work exist in writings by other historians and philosophers like Socrates Scholasticus and Damascius.
* Letters and commentaries: Some scholars believe that fragments of her work might be hidden within other ancient texts or commentaries attributed to her students.
While we don't have Hypatia's own books, her legacy lives on through the influence she had on her contemporaries and the knowledge she preserved and passed down.