84 Quotes by Bettany Hughes

Territorial expansion demands warriors and, once population levels are stable, demotes the female role. Once religious empires have not just an idea but a territory to call their own, the soldiers of god are of more value than his handmaidens.

Socrates was tried in a religious court. He was condemned for disregarding Athens' gods. If you look at the way he speaks at his trial, according to Plato, there seems to be a moment when he realizes this isn't just a game.

The 'Middle Ages/Dark Ages' were of course no such thing. Achievement in the Arabian crescent was sensational then.

I love the Bronze Age - the age of the Trojan Wars and Helen of Troy. Contrary to what people think, Troy was a very sophisticated society and they used ostrich eggs - which have surprisingly tough shells - to store perfumed oils.

The Nile has long nourished women and men alike. On the Nile and the magical, river-island Temple of Philae, Florence Nightingale was so inspired that she resolved to follow her calling in nursing.

Taught by actor parents never to leave an awkward gap in the conversation I gabble out unsolicited responses to fill the voids.

Both my parents were professional actors, so I grew up in a household that had no real financial stability.

People tend to have a knee-jerk response to the word 'philosophy'. You imagine it's abstract and inaccessible.

I wrote my first history book when I was four. I still have it so I can prove it.