Bettany Hughes is an award-winning historian, author, broadcaster, and public speaker. She is best known for her work on the history of the ancient world, particularly the classical world of Greece and Rome. She has written several books on the subject, including The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life and Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore. She has also presented numerous television series, including Ancient Worlds, The Ancient Greeks, and The Spartans. Hughes has a degree in Ancient and Modern History from Oxford University and a PhD in Ancient History from King's College London. She is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. She is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Leicester and a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Classical Studies. Hughes is passionate about making history accessible to everyone and has been awarded an OBE for her services to history. She is a regular contributor to radio and television programmes, and has written for a variety of publications, including The Guardian, The Times, and The New York Times. She is also a passionate advocate for the preservation of the world's cultural heritage.