- Radio Times
- Review by:
- Alison Graham
Bettany Hughes travels to the Greek island of Lesbos in pursuit of the truth about the poet Sappho. And before anyone starts giggling, this is a serious historical endeavour because Hughes describes herself as a “bit of a Sappho addict, she wrote so lusciously and so exquisitely”.
Hughes is a talented guide, bringing her own passions to the subject of the role of women in the development of the world’s religions. She even remains polite when faced with a female Catholic scholar who has no truck with women priests: “There can’t be women priests because it’s not in the nature of womanhood. That’s the deal.”
About this programme
2/3. Bettany Hughes' history of women in religion continues with an exploration of the priestess. She travels to the island of Lesbos to tell the story of sixth-century BC poet Sappho, who, she argues, fulfilled the role of priestess by channelling the power of the goddess of love Aphrodite. In Rome, Bettany finds out about the ancient role of the vestal virgins, and in Athens she reveals how religion gave women a vital role in a society that otherwise regarded them as worthless.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Presenter
- Bettany Hughes
Crew
- Director
- Emily Davis
- Executive Producer
- Leonie Jameson
- Producer
- Emily Davis
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