Divine Women

When were women first involved in organized religion? In this fascinating history documentary for BBC Select, acclaimed historian Bettany Hughes goes back to the beginning of time and finds startling evidence that shows women being there from the very beginning. She visits a world where goddesses ruled the heavens and the earth and reveals why our ancestors thought of the divine as female.

Once priestesses played a vital role in organized religion. But why did their influence diminish? In this fascinating BBC Select history documentary, Bettany Hughes delves into the hidden story of women's place in faith. She uncovers the ancient Greek worship of the goddess of sex, Aphrodite, and heads to ancient Rome, where the fate of the civilization lay in the hands of six sacred virgins.

How did the period known as the Dark Ages turn into a golden age for a few remarkable religious women? In this illuminating history documentary for BBC Select, acclaimed historian Bettany Hughes uncovers Theodora, a prostitute turned powerful empress. Then she looks at the wives of the prophet Muhammad including Khadija, whose words are still read by over two billion men and women today.