Atlantis: The Evidence

In this Timewatch special, historian Bettany Hughes unravels one of the most intriguing mysteries of all time - did Atlantis really exist?

Dr. Hughes presents a series of geological, archaeological and historical clues to show that the legend of Atlantis was inspired by a real historical event – the greatest natural disaster of the ancient world – the eruption of Thera on the Aegean island of Santorini. In this documentary Dr. Hughes traces the origins of the Atlantis myth and presents evidence that the Thera eruption inspired Plato’s account of this mystical land.

Ancient Worlds: The Spartans

Today on Far Future Horizons we embark on another odyssey through time with acclaimed historian Bettany Hughes to visit the ancient Greek City State of Sparta and the infamous Spartans.

The Ancient World: Hypatia and Alexandria

Today on Far Future Horizons we present a new documentary series about classical antiquity hosted by Brittany Hughes titled “The Ancient World”. A new film about Hypatia and the ransacking of the Great Library of Alexandria titled “Agora”, directed by Alejandro Amenábar, provides the centerpiece of Bettany Hughes' definitive history of the ancient world and classical civilization.

In the first episode of this series “Alexandria: The Greatest City” we focus our attention on perhaps the greatest city of the classical age – Alexandria and a woman by the name of Hypatia who was a noted mathematician, astronomer and philosopher.

The Motion picture Agora dramatizes the story of Hypatia’s battle with Cyril, the patriarch of Alexandria, casting both historical figures in symbolic roles as the central protagonists in the historical battle between science and reason against the dark forces of religious bigotry and superstition.

In Search of the Real Helen of Troy

Helen of Troy painting by Rossetti

She was 'the face that launched a thousand ships' and the woman blamed for starting a conflict that caused countless deaths. But, behind all the legend who was the real woman we know as Helen of Troy?

Today on Far Future Horizons we join Bettany Hughes on a voyage through time to the dawn of classical antiquity in search of the woman responsible for sparking one of the greatest conflicts in history – the Trojan War.

The Minotaur's Island

Today on Far Future Horizons we join historian Bettany Hughes as she follows the footsteps of Arthur Evans, Harriet Boyd, and other famed archaeologists to find startling new insights into the myth of the Minotaur's Island and the Minoan civilization that flourished there.

How did this ancient people live, worship, and prosper? Why did they build such magnificent palaces, complete with hinged doors, flush toilets, and elaborate warrens of rooms? What role did the daring, acrobatic bull-leapers play in society? And did the civilization finally succumb to natural disasters, foreign invaders, or religious strife? Fresh evidence excavated from sites all over Crete offers tantalizing clues to the everyday life, and tragic destiny, of the accomplished artisans and architects who lived at the crossroads of the ancient world.