Merovingians. 476-751. Frankish dynasty. Childeric founded; Clovis expanded empire to modern France, Germany, Belgium, N Italy. Austrasia, Neustria; 534+Burgundy. Clotaire. Carolingians.

Moroccan Crisis. 1905. Germany declares Morocco free of France, Algeciras Conference. 1911 = Agadir Crisis. French gain Morocco, Germany Cameroon, Italy Dodecanese.

Murasaki Shikibu. c978-1014. Japanese court lady, writer. Tales of the Genji 1001-5.

Neustria. Western of 4 Merovingian kingdoms. Austrasia.

Niemeyer, Oscar. 1907-. Brazilian architect: Brasilia.

Pancras, St. 290-304. Patron saint of children. Martyred at age 14.

Pompey. 106-48BC. Roman triumvir with Caesar and Crassus; defeated by Caesar.

Prasad, Rajendra. 1884-1963. First president of Indian Republic 1950-62.

Profumo Affair. 1963. British War Minister Profumo and Christine Keeler, who also associated with Soviet attaché. Embarassed government.

Protagoras. c485-411BC. First Greek Sophist. “Man is the measure of all things”. “Truth is subjective to each person”. Exiled c415-.

Pythagoras. c582-500BC. Greek philosopher: numbers are key to understanding the universe. Founded first school of higher learning at Crotona, Italy.

Rameau, Jean-Philippe. 1683-1764. Composer for harpsichord and operas based on classical themes. Castor and Pollux 1737. Pygmalion 1748.

Raskolniki. Old Believers.

Rasmussen, Knud. 1879-1933. Danish arctic explorer.

Rasputin, Grigori. 1872-1916. Russian adventurer, mystic. Influential in court of Nicholas II, 1906-. Murdered.

Rastatt, Congress of. 1713. After War of Spanish Succession, Holy Roman Empire renounces claim to Spanish throne. 1797-9. Failed at peace between France and HRE.

Reagan, Ronald. 1911-2004. US actor, Republican President 1981-9. Tax reform. Strong economy. Aid to Nicaragua Contras. Irangate scandal. Fall of Soviet Empire.

Renaudot, Théophraste. 1586-1653. Physician to Louis XIII. Huguenot. Founder of first periodical, Gazette de France 1631.

Ribalta, Francisco. 1565-1628. Spanish painter. Light/dark color contrast. Christ Embracing St Bernard.

Rimsky-Korsakov, Nicolai. 1844-1908. Russian Nationalist composer/orchestrator: Scheherezade 1888. Operas.

R101. 1930. British airship, world’s largest, crashed in France.

Ross, Ronald. 1857-1932. British discoverer of malaria parasite.

Rubinstein, Anton. 1829-94. Russian pianist, composer. Operas, concerti. Demon 1875.

Salieri, Antonio. 1750-1825. Austrian court composer. Operas.

Samos. Greek island birthplace of Pythagoras.

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