Pfitzner, Hans. 1869-1949. German Post-romantic opera composer. Palestrina 1917.

Philip I. The Handsome. 1478-1506. King of Castile 1504-. Established Spanish Hapsburg line by marrying daughter of Ferdinand II.

Philistines. 12C BC- Peoples of Palestine defeated by Saul and David 10C BC. Samson.

Photius. c820-91. Patriarch of Constantinople 858~86. Began Great Schism controversy.

Pillnitz, Declaration of. 1791. Holy Roman Empire, Prussia support Restoration in France. French Revolutionary Wars.

Pius IX. 1792-1878. Pope 1846-. Longest reign. Defined Immaculate Conception 1854 Papal Infallibility. Syllabus Errorum 1864 criticized Liberalism.

Plato. c428-347BC. Greek philosopher, disciple of Socrates’ Dialogs. Free-will. Republic. “There exist absolute truths. Mind imprints its idea on matter. Mind has always existed and seeks to free itself from matter and return to God.” Founded Academy c387. Symposium c384. Apologia c399. Quest for good will lead to harmony in the world.

Pliny the Elder. 23-79. Roman naturalist. Died investigating Vesuvius eruption.Historia Naturalis.

PLO. Palestine Liberation Organization.

Plotinus. 205-270. Greek philosopher. His Neoplatonism influenced Islam, Christianity. Quest for Good through intelligence. “Creation is fall from God. Evil is the nature of man. Good is freedom from senses.”

Poland, Partitions of. 1772 Russia, Prussia, Austria take a third each. 1793 Russia, Prussia invade to restore conservative rule. 1795 After revolt, Austria, Prussia, Russia. divide remainder.

Polk, James. 1795-1849 US Democratic president 1845-. Oregon Question. Mexican War. “54°40' or fight”.

Pol Pot. 1925-98. Cambodian Communist Khmer Rouge leader. Arrested 1997.

Pompeii. Destroyed 79 by Vesuvius eruption. Rediscovered 1592.

Pont Neuf. 1578-1607. Oldest surviving Paris bridge.

Ponte Vecchio. 1345. Florence. First segmented arch bridge in West.

Poor Laws. 1597, 1601, 1834. British parishes to aid poor, establish workhouses, abolish slavery. Replaced 1930-50.

Popish Plot. 1678. Oates’ fictitious allegations of conspiracy led to persecution of Catholics.

Porte St-Denis. Paris. 1672. Celebrates Louis XIV’s victories on the Rhine.

Porte St-Martin. Paris. 1674. Commemorates the capture of Besançon.

Potsdam Agreement. 1945. Truman, Stalin, Attlee agree to draw up peace treaties, reduce German industrialization, restore democracy in Europe after WWII. Outlawed Nazism. Divided Germany.

Predestination. Christian doctrine that God has pre-ordained who will be saved. Calvinism.

Preemption Act. 1841-91. US law allowed squatters on government land to buy 160 acres. Homestead.

Prester John. Legendary Christian ruler of vast lands in Africa or Asia.

Preston, Battle. 1648. Cromwell defeats Charles I last forces in English Civil War.

297 more results ...