Bettany Hughes is an English historian and broadcaster who has become a familiar face on British television. She is best known for her documentaries on major historical figures such as Alexander the Great and Socrates, as well as her work as a presenter on BBC documentaries.
Hughes was born in London in 1968 to an academic family. She attended Oxford University, where she was awarded a double first in Classical and Medieval History. After graduating, she worked as a researcher and producer for the BBC, before becoming a presenter on programmes such as Ancient Voices and Time Commanders.
In 2003, Hughes released her first book, Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore, which was a critical and commercial success. She has since written several more books, including The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life, and The Fatal Land: War, Empire and the Highland Soldier in British America.
In addition to her written work, Hughes has presented several major documentaries for the BBC, including Ancient Worlds and Greece: The Greatest Show on Earth. She is also a regular guest on radio and television programmes such as Channel 4's Sunday Brunch and BBC Radio 4's Start the Week.
In recent years, Hughes has become an ambassador for the International Association for the Study of the Ancient World, and has been a visiting professor of ancient history at the University of Cambridge. She has also been involved in a number of charitable causes, such as the British Museum's Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa project.
Bettany Hughes is an expert in classical and medieval history, and has used her platform to promote the importance of preserving ancient artefacts and cultures. An inspirational figure to many, she is a passionate advocate for the study of history and its relevance to modern life.
