Alexander the Great, it was still asserted into the early 19th century, had built the gates that separated East and West at the eastern edge of the Caucasus: what is now Azerbaijan lay beyond.
In ‘Tales from the Caspian Sea’, Bettany Hughes investigates the rich cultural history of the Caspian, a region which nourished the ancient world’s oldest theocracy, in the form of a Zoroastrian state, and pioneered an early Muslim-majority democracy in 1918. Her investigation of Azerbaijan - “the land of fire” - begins in the foothi...
Venus And Aphrodite: History Of A Goddess and Istanbul: A Tale Of Three Cities are now available both as eBooks and audiobooks: Venus & Aphrodite | Istanbul
Travelling on her own traditional Dahabiya boat, Bettany journeys almost 1,000 miles from Cairo to the Aswan Dam on the mighty River Nile stopping off at the most iconic and dazzling sites along the way. From ancient gossip on the sex lives of the rich and famous to a close up encounter with King Tut’s grandmother, this colourful travelogue interweaves mystery, revelation, stunning visuals and diverse modern-day encounters to create a unique and unforgettable journey through the highlights of Ancient Egypt...
In each episode Bettany travels across the Roman world, delving into the psyche and uncovering brand new archaeological evidence, while lavish drama brings the incredible story of Rome to life.
The eight days include Rome’s early defeat of her great rival Carthage under Hannibal, at the battle of Zama; a cr...
FORTHCOMING - Bettany reveals the pivotal moments and groundbreaking achievements of the ancient Egyptians as she explores one of the world's oldest and greatest civilisations. She travels from the mouth of the Nile in the north of the country to the shores of Lake Nasser in the far south, along the way visiting the Great Sphinx, the original location of the Rosetta Stone, the Valley of the Kings, and the Great Pyramid at Giza.
'Book of the Year' in both the Financial Times and the Telegraph.
“A deeply researched biography of a legendary city…A panoramic cultural history of a fascinating place.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A vibrant, sprawling portrait of a city as enigmatic as it is historically important…Hughes' entertaining narrative style with its visual details, dramatic archaeological discoveries, an...
Bettany Hughes investigates the enduring relationship between warfare and worship, by following the trail through time of the ancient god of war, Mars. She begins in Carthage, site of one of the most significant and bloodiest victories in the history of the Roman Empire and explores the vital role of Mars in Rome's imperial expansion.
Visiting the British Museum, Bettany sees, at first hand, the earliest known evidence of human warfare - a 13,000-year-old graveyard in which many of the bodies showed signs of violent deaths...
In 1914, the suffragette Mary Richardson attacked the Rokeby Venus at the National Gallery in London. But why did this painting fire such outrage? Professor Bettany Hughes embarks on a voyage of discovery to reveal the truth behind the Venus depicted in the painting, proving that this mythological figure is so much more than just an excuse for sensual nudity and chocolate-box romance. Venus Uncovered is the remarkable story of one of antiquity's most potent forces, and more than that. Hers is the story of human desire, an...
Professor Bettany Hughes investigates the story of Bacchus, god of wine, revelry, theatre and excess, travelling to Georgia, Jordan, Greece and Britain to discover his origins and his presence in the modern world, and explore how 'losing oneself' plays a vital role in the development of civilisation.
In this fascinating journey, Bettany begins in Georgia where she discovers evidence of the world's oldest wine production, and the role it may have played in building communities. In Athens, she reveals Bacchus's pivotal role...
Bettany Hughes’ series ‘Genius of the Ancient World’ and ‘Genius of the Modern World’ originally broadcast on the BBC are now available to view on Netflix in the US, Canada, Spain, Brazil and Asia. Bettany traces the lives of six great thinkers that have shaped the modern world: Socrates, Confucius, Buddha, Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud and Frederick Nietzsche.
