Bettany Hughes

Medieval Fightbook

Follow the close analysis of an ancient fight master's manuscript depicting combat techniques and devices used over 500 years ago.

The Minoans

Best known for the myth of the Minotaur, Crete gave birth to Europe's first civilization. Yet little is known about those who inhabited the island. But now, with fresh archeological evidence, light is finally being shed on this ancient culture.

Helen of Troy

British historian Bettany Hughes tours the eastern Mediterranean in search of facts behind the legends of "the face that launched a thousand ships," exploring the ways Greeks made love and war circa 1300 B.C.

Athens: The Truth About Democracy

Historian Bettany Hughes explores the realities of ancient Athens's "Golden Age" and uncovers a mix of brilliant, humanity-changing philosophies and dark, war-like themes that co-existed in one turbulent time and place. Although ancient Athens still retains its reputation as a pure and shining democracy, its history tells a more complicated story that includes slavery, black magic and an unquenchable thirst for war.

Top Ten Treasures Of Pompeii

With cutting-edge VR, fascinating interviews, and access to the very latest discoveries, join Professor Bettany Hughes in her ultimate countdown of history’s most famous city's treasures.

The Mystery of Agatha Christie, With David Suchet

David Suchet, TV's Poirot, has spent more of his life acting out the plots and dramas created by Agatha Christie than anyone else in the world. Suchet is embarking on a journey to learn more about the woman who created Poirot and whose books remain outsold only by Shakespeare and the Bible. Suchet's journey takes him to the places Christie lived, the landscapes that inspired her and to meetings with people who knew the woman behind the fame and those inspired by her extraordinary legacy. He explores the close links between Christie's extraordinary life and her work and discovers what it was about the woman from a small seaside town that allowed her to become the best-selling murder mystery writer in history.

Egypt's Great Mummies: Unwrapped with Bettany Hughes

Professor Bettany Hughes takes viewers on a journey of discovery as she investigates 10 of the greatest and most intriguing Egyptian mummies - and the secrets that lie beneath the bandages. Having remained in their tombs for thousands of years, wrapped, embalmed and buried with treasure, each mummy tells the story of the criminals, priests, children and pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.

Alexandria: The Greatest City

Bettany Hughes goes in search of this lost civilisation, revealing the story of a city founded out of the desert by Alexander the Great in 331 BC to become the world's first global centre of culture. The documentary also looks at the role of astronomer and philosopher Hypatia, and incorporates stunning footage from the feature film 'Agora'.

Medieval Fightbook

Follow the close analysis of an ancient fight master's manuscript depicting combat techniques and devices used over 500 years ago.

The Minoans

Best known for the myth of the Minotaur, Crete gave birth to Europe's first civilization. Yet little is known about those who inhabited the island. But now, with fresh archeological evidence, light is finally being shed on this ancient culture.

Helen of Troy

British historian Bettany Hughes tours the eastern Mediterranean in search of facts behind the legends of "the face that launched a thousand ships," exploring the ways Greeks made love and war circa 1300 B.C.

Athens: The Truth About Democracy

Historian Bettany Hughes explores the realities of ancient Athens's "Golden Age" and uncovers a mix of brilliant, humanity-changing philosophies and dark, war-like themes that co-existed in one turbulent time and place. Although ancient Athens still retains its reputation as a pure and shining democracy, its history tells a more complicated story that includes slavery, black magic and an unquenchable thirst for war.

Top Ten Treasures Of Pompeii

With cutting-edge VR, fascinating interviews, and access to the very latest discoveries, join Professor Bettany Hughes in her ultimate countdown of history’s most famous city's treasures.

The Mystery of Agatha Christie, With David Suchet

David Suchet, TV's Poirot, has spent more of his life acting out the plots and dramas created by Agatha Christie than anyone else in the world. Suchet is embarking on a journey to learn more about the woman who created Poirot and whose books remain outsold only by Shakespeare and the Bible. Suchet's journey takes him to the places Christie lived, the landscapes that inspired her and to meetings with people who knew the woman behind the fame and those inspired by her extraordinary legacy. He explores the close links between Christie's extraordinary life and her work and discovers what it was about the woman from a small seaside town that allowed her to become the best-selling murder mystery writer in history.

Egypt's Great Mummies: Unwrapped with Bettany Hughes

Professor Bettany Hughes takes viewers on a journey of discovery as she investigates 10 of the greatest and most intriguing Egyptian mummies - and the secrets that lie beneath the bandages. Having remained in their tombs for thousands of years, wrapped, embalmed and buried with treasure, each mummy tells the story of the criminals, priests, children and pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.

Alexandria: The Greatest City

Bettany Hughes goes in search of this lost civilisation, revealing the story of a city founded out of the desert by Alexander the Great in 331 BC to become the world's first global centre of culture. The documentary also looks at the role of astronomer and philosopher Hypatia, and incorporates stunning footage from the feature film 'Agora'.

Atlantis: The Evidence

The mysterious lost city of Atlantis has captured imaginations for centuries. But does new evidence prove that the legendary story is true? Historian Bettany Hughes unravels one of the most intriguing mysteries of all time, as she presents a series of geological, archaeological, and historical clues to show that the legend of Atlantis was inspired by real historical events.

When the Moors Ruled in Europe

A documentary movie covering the 700-year reign in Spain and Portugal of the Moors. It focus on Andlucia and specifically Fes, Granada and Cordoba.

Venus Uncovered: Ancient Goddess of Love

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. Because 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, and how desire transforms who we are and how we behave.

Apples, Pears and Paint: How to Make a Still Life Painting

The history of still life painting with oil paints

Seven Wonders of the Buddhist World

In this fascinating documentary, historian Bettany Hughes travels to the seven wonders of the Buddhist world.Her journey begins at the Mahabodhi Temple in India, where Buddhism was born; here Hughes examines the foundations of the belief system - the three jewels.At Nepal's Boudhanath Stupa, she looks deeper into the concept of dharma - the teaching of Buddha, and at the Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka, Bettany explores karma, the idea that our intentional acts will be mirrored in the future.At Wat Pho Temple in Thailand, Hughes explores samsara, the endless cycle of birth and death that Buddhists seek to end by achieving enlightenment, before travelling to Angkor Wat in Cambodia to learn more about the practice of meditation.In Hong Kong, Hughes visits the Giant Buddha and looks more closely at Zen, before arriving at the final wonder, the Hsi Lai temple in Los Angeles, to discover more about the ultimate goal for all Buddhists - nirvana.

Mars Uncovered: Ancient God of War

Bettany Hughes investigates the enduring relationship between warfare and worship, by following the trail of Mars, from Rome and Carthage to the present day.

Gaia Uncovered - The History of Mother Earth

What can the ancient world's vision of the planet, such as the legend of powerful Greek Goddess Gaia, teach us? Acclaimed historian Bettany Hughes explores our relationship with Mother Earth in this fascinating documentary on BBC Select. Now, more than ever, our use and misuse of the planet is under scrutiny. Can the past hold the answers to how we can possibly have a future on the Earth?

Bacchus Uncovered: Ancient God of Ecstasy

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. 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 in a society where his ecstatic worship was embraced by all classes, and most importantly women. On Cyprus she uncovers startling parallels between Bacchus and Christ. Finally, Bettany follows the god's modern embrace in Nietzsche's philosophy, experimental theatre and the hedonistic hippie movement to conclude that, while this god of ecstasy is worthy of contemporary reconsideration, it is vital to heed the warning of the ancients - "MEDEN AGAN" - nothing in excess.

The Greeks

National Geographic's landmark event series, The Greeks, brings together historians, archaeologists, actors, athletes, scientists and artists to launch a groundbreaking exploration into the ancient Greeks' journey - not just to better understand their past, but to discover how their legacy illuminates our present, and will shape our future. The story of the Greeks is the story of us.

The Bible: A History

It is a book that originated thousands of years ago in the Middle East. The subject of intensive scholarship and interpretation, the Bible and its rich narratives have shaped politics, culture, and the human experience through the ages. Seven people from different walks of life offer their perspectives on what history's best selling book says about spiritual life and relationships with others.

East To West

This six-part series tells the story of the birth and flourishing of civilisation in the Middle East and its huge influence on the West. From the foundation of science, monotheism, commerce, justice, civil rights and artistic expression - look Eastward. The series contends that history that starts from an ancient Greek perspective distorts the true path of civilisation. For crucial phases in world history, the political, economic and cultural centre was the Middle East.

Bettany Hughes' Treasures of the World

Bettany Hughes take viewers on armchair travels to explore household-name treasures and new finds from across the world.

8 Days That Made Rome

Bettany Hughes relives eight pivotal days that defined the Roman Empire and made it the world's first superpower.

Greek Island Odyssey

Historian Bettany Hughes has embarked on an epic, personal journey. Inspired by Homer's The Odyssey, she will sail the unpredictable Mediterranean seas, tracing Odysseus's long journey home. Her mission: to experience what the Greek hero experienced and to uncover truths behind the myths and legends, all while enjoying the delights of ancient Greece today. Follow her 1,700-mile adventure as it takes her to over a dozen islands and 22 historic sites and puts her through two hair-raising storms and even an earthquake.

Bettany Hughes' Lost Worlds: The Nabataeans

Bettany Hughes is on a mission to understand the secret behind the success of the Nabataeans. The glorious tombs of their cities, like Hegra in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, are proof of a rich kingdom.

Pompeii's Final Hours: New Evidence

Exploring life in Pompeii during the final days of the doomed city.

The Nile: Egypt's Great River with Bettany Hughes

The historian explores the land that inspired her passion for the past by embarking upon a 900-mile journey along the river Nile and examining how it shaped ancient Egypt.

Bettany Hughes' Voices of the Dead

A forensic dig into history's most enduring mysteries. In Voices of the Dead, Professor Bettany Hughes leads a forensic investigation into some of the most enduring mysteries of the ancient world and brings viewers face-to-face with the extraordinary people of the past she unearths along the way.

Exploring India's Treasures: Bettany Hughes

The professor, seasoned adventurer, author and historian - alongside local experts and academics - guides viewers through her curated selection of the treasures of India.

The Ancient World with Bettany Hughes

The Ancient World is presented by historian Bettany Hughes which gives us a personal take on the ancient world cultures in this documentary series aired on Channel 4 network and takes us on a journey all over the ancient world from Egypt to Greece.

Ancient Impossible

Ancient Impossible, the new H2 series, picks up where HISTORY’s long running Ancient Discoveries left off. In this next generation of storytelling, Ancient Impossible reveals how many of today’s technological achievements were actually developed centuries ago. Colossal monuments, impossible feats of engineering and technologies so precise they defy reinvention–the ancient world was far more advanced than we ever imagined. We’ll travel through history to reveal a radically different picture of the past, with innovations so far ahead of their time, they’re still in use today. New science uncovers a lost world more like our own than we ever suspected, and reveals how modern technology has its blueprint in the ancient world.

Genius of the Ancient World

Historian Bettany Hughes travels to India, Greece and China on the trail of three giants of ancient philosophy - Buddha, Socrates and Confucius.

Genius of the Modern World

Historian Bettany Hughes retraces the lives of three great thinkers whose ideas shaped the modern world - Karl Marx, Frederick Nietzsche and Sigmund Freud.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Bettany Hughes

Renowned historian and Wanderlust contributing editor Bettany Hughes is back on our screens with Seven Wonders of The Ancient World – and the series will make use of augmented reality (AR), allowing viewers to explore the lost sites.

Divine Women

Bettany Hughes sets out on an epic journey across continents and back in time to trace the hidden and often controversial history of women in religion

The Spartans

The rise and fall of one of the most extreme civilisations the world has ever witnessed – one founded on discipline, sacrifice and frugality, centred on the collective, whose goal was to create the perfect state and the perfect warrior.

Athens: The Truth About Democracy

Bettany Hughes searches out the real truth about the birth of democracy in ancient Athens 2500 years ago

Epic Warrior Women

Join us as we tell the tales of history's most iconic female fighters, from the legendary Amazons of Central Asia to the gladiators of the Roman Empire to the all-female fighting force of West Africa.

Ultimate Treasure Countdown

Unearthing the glittering, golden treasures of the pharaohs.

Rome: The Rise and Fall

The history of Ancient Rome is explored with a look at 500 years of Roman history, including the forging of the empire on the battlefield and the excess at the height of its power.

Egypt's Great Treasures with Bettany Hughes

Professor Bettany Hughes travels from the Mouth of the Nile in the north of Egypt, to the shores of Lake Nasser in the far south in search of her Top 10. Along the way she will check in on the Great Sphinx, the original location of the Rosetta Stone, the Valley of the Kings, and the Great Pyramid at Giza.

Secrets from the Sky

Secrets From The Sky takes a look at some of the country’s most historic landmarks and glorious landscapes from a bird’s eye view in the sky.