Bettany Hughes' Venus, Bacchus and Mars Uncovered (2017)

In this series Professor Bettany Hughes embarks on a voyage of discovery, travelling across the Mediterranean and Middle East to reveal the true stories of three of the most iconic Greek Gods and Godesses; Venus, Bacchus and Mars. Bettany explains how the mythological figure of Venus is far more than just an excuse for sensual nudity and chocolate box romance. She then goes on an international search for Bacchus, the ancient God of wine, revelry and excess. On the hunt to identify and define 'ecstasy'. Thirdly she investigates the enduring relationship between warfare and worship, by following the trail through time of the ancient god of war, Mars.