"I think it's ironic when Plato makes the learned woman Aspasia Socrates' teacher, but I think women ..." — Bettany Hughes

Ancient Egyptian women had rights under the law. They could own land. Many were literate.

It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the coolest place, who's in the coolest street. Suddenly we're having to engage with all those social pressures. It's helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you've always got a choice.

To me that is what the Odyssey is all about, it's about being in the world and unexpected challenges and dangers are thrown at you.

I think Socrates was fascinated by Alcibiades. It's almost the opposite of hypocrisy. I think it's like when you can see the potential in someone.