1: Buddha | Genius of the Ancient World

Brahmanic society | Genius of the Ancient World

An explanation of the social and religious context in which the Buddha was brought up and how it influenced his ideas.

Changing concepts of karma | Genius of the Ancient World

The Buddha's revelations changed the ways in which karma was viewed, giving his ideas great appeal in a changing soc...

Nirvana | Genius of the Ancient World

Through deep meditation, the Buddha achieved Enlightenment and developed the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Responses to Samsara | Genius of the Ancient World

After leaving his life as a prince, the Buddha joined other thinkers searching for solutions to the problems of Samsara.

Spreading the Buddha's teachings | Genius of the Ancient World

The story of how the Buddha's ideas spread through his own preaching and the creation of the first monasteries.

The Buddha's legacy | Genius of the Ancient World

After the Buddha's death, his ideas continued to spread through his followers and the influence of Emperor Ashoka.

The Four Sights | Genius of the Ancient World

The story of how the Buddha left his privileged life as a prince in the Himalayas after witnessing the Four Sights.

The middle way | Genius of the Ancient World

The Buddha's idea of the Middle Way and his realisations about the nature and impermanence of the self.

The path of self denial | Genius of the Ancient World

Before developing the Middle Way, the Buddha spent six years pursuing a life of self denial with other ascetics.

1: When God was a Girl | Divine Women

Bettany Hughes investigates goddess worship across the world and ancient conceptions of the divine.

Spread Of The Communist Ideology | Genius of the Modern World

The Bolshevik Revolution kickstarted the shift towards communism, but Russia didn't have the predicted variable...

Socrates, youth and beauty | Genius of the Ancient World

Many young men took to Socrates, who preached that the beauty of the mind is superior to that of the body.

The Roman Empire | Learning Zone

Bettany Hughes explains why the Romans were keen to invade Britain.

South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission | What's the Point of Forgiveness?

How forgiveness was used in the South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Seven Wonders of the Buddhist World

Bettany Hughes visits seven of the most famous ancient and modern Buddhist locations in the world: seven wonders that give an insight int...