“Once universities, rather than religious orders, were established as the key repositories of learning, women would find it ever harder to prove the pen as mighty as the sword.”

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.