“Istanbul in the snow is a wonder. The extravagant pleasures on show in the Topkapi Palace Museum - the sultan's robes thickly lined with squirrel fur, mobile foot-braziers to keep out a cold that whips relentlessly off the Bosphorus - presage modern-day sultanic delights.”

English historian, author, and broadcaster

Bettany Hughes is an English historian, author, and broadcaster, known for her work on classical history. She writes about the ancient world, especially classical antiquity and myth, and has also explored the history of Istanbul. Her books and broadcasts bring historical subjects to a broad audience. She has also been involved in efforts to support the teaching of the classics in UK state schools, and was appointed OBE in 2019.