Following the core topic - Cities of Vesuvius - with all the excitement and drama of the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the amazing finds that still continue to be made to this day - students examine the fascinating world of the ancient Persian Empire, especially in the times of its greatest leaders - Darius and Xerxes. Our focus then turns to the neighbouring Greek World of 500-440 BC, with special reference to the dramatic Persian Wars and the rise of the Athenian Empire. We finish with the personality study - in our case, who better to study than the enigmatic Xerxes?

• Teacher: Sandra Thomsett
• Teacher: Gilbert van der Jagt