The Gorgeous Legacy of Egyptian Queen Neferti...

Margaret Beaufort was one of the most important women in Medieval England. Her story has been twisted to make her a villain, even a murderer, but who was she really? Lauren Johnson joins us to discuss Margaret Beaufort's remarkable life - and bust some of the most pervasive myths ...  Show more

Watch this as a video Sarah Biffin was one of the most sought-after portrait artists of the Regency Era, painting members of the royal family, including the King. How did a farmworker's daughter born without hands reach such success? Joining us to celebrate Sarah Biffin's iconic ...  Show more

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the woman who inspired one of the best known artefacts from ancient Egypt. The Bust of Nefertiti is multicoloured and symmetrical, about 49cm/18" high and, despite the missing left eye, still holds the gaze of onlookers below its tall, blue, flat t ...  Show more

Akhenaten (Part 2): The Great Queen(s)... In 1361 BCE, Amunhotep IV was settled into his power. It was time to find a queen - his choice would be one of Egypt's most famous women... This episode covers Amunhotep's diplomatic engagements with Mitanni and the first appearance (and ...  Show more

Born in the romantic splendour of Ptolemaic Egypt, not far from the Library of Alexandria, Cleopatra was destined for greatness. She ascended to the throne at 18 and very quickly asserted her authority across Egypt as her extraordinary mind and legendary charisma captivated all. ...  Show more

Famed across the ages and around the world - everyone knows the name Cleopatra. But how did she become one of the most infamous women in history?

Born in 69BCE, a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Hellenistic Egypt, Cleopatra VII lived a tumultuous life. Within<stro ...