Just saw your new history series, Prof Beard, and I loved it. There is nothing I cherish the BBC for more than their ability to produce good, solidly researched history documentaries that are presented and researched by real experts, like yourself.
As for AA Gill, the man is a sexist but a very average one in that his prejudices are very much those of the man in the street.
We women can't win, you see. If we are young and beautiful, no-one listens to what we have to say, we're just eye-candy. If we're more mature and keep our appearance natural, then we're a disgrace and should 'make more of an effort'. Either way, it seems to be all about how we look and not what we say, something that just doesn't apply the same way to men. It's not as if Simon Schama or David Starkey would win any beauty contests but there is no female equivalent to AA Gill out there decrying their television appearances!
Anyway, it's good old misogyny and I"m sure it was even worse in Roman times so at least we can be thankful now that women can present in public and be regarded as public intellectuals, even if we have to put up with flak for it.