Varangians. ‘Rus’. 9-10C. Norse conquerors of Russia, hence name.

Varèse, Edgard. 1883-1965. French composer of dissonant electronic music. Hyperprism 1923.

Varna, Battles. 1444 Ottoman Turks defeat Hungarians, expand to Balkans. 1828 Russians defeat Turks.

Vasari, Giorgio. 1511-74. Italian Mannerist painter, architect, writer. Coined term Renaissance. Painters Lives 1550. Uffizi Palace architect.

Vassal. Feudal holder of a fief in exchange for services.

Veblen, Thorstein. 1857-1929. US sociologist. Theory of the Leisure Class 1899-“conspicuous consumption”.

Veche. 10C-1510. Russian democratic city council abolished by Mongols.

Velikovsky, Immanuel. 1895-1979. Russian/US writer of controversial scientific theories. Worlds in Collision 1950.

Velleda. German druidess, prophet under Vespasian.

Venezuelan Claims. 1902-7. European countries blockade ports to press for loan repayment.

Venus. Roman goddess of love and beauty. =Aphrodite.

Verdi, Giusseppe. 1813-1901. Italian Nationalist operatic composer. Otello. Rigoletto 1851. Traviata 1853. Aida 1871.

Verlaine, Paul. 1844-96. French pre-Symbolist lyric poet. Parnasse Contemporain 1866. Bonne Chanson 1870.

Vermeer, Jan. 1632-75. Dutch painter, portraying domestic interiors. Procuress 1656. Soldier and Laughing Girl. Letter 1660.

Verona Congress. 1822. Last Holy Alliance congress. Authorized French intervention in Spanish revolution. British opposed intervention in New Spain. Failure of Congress System.

Versailles, Treaty. 1783. Recognized US Independence. 1871. Bismarck wins Franco-Prussian war. 1919. Ended WWI. Founded League of Nations. Germans to cede territory and pay reparations of £6.6/$32B. Only 1/8 paid when cancelled in 1932. US did not ratify.

Verwoerd, Hendrik. 1901-66. South African Prime Minister 1958-66. Apartheid. Left Commonwealth 1961. Assassinated.

Vespasian. 9-79. Roman Emperor, 69-. Began Colosseum 72. Fiscal reform, stability.

Vestal Virgins. Chaste Roman guardians of Temple to Vesta, goddess of the hearth.

Vetsera, Maria. -1889. Mistress of Rudolf; died with him.

Viau, Théophile. 1590-1626. French pre-Classical poet, dramatist. Pyramus and Thisbe 1623.

Vicksburg Campaign. 1862-3. Major Union victory for Grant on Mississippi.

Victor Emmanuel III. 1869-1947. Last Italian king 1900~46. Supported Mussolini. Abdicated.

Victoria. 1819-1901. Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, 1837-. Empress of India 1876-. Colonial expansion. Strict moralist. Lost Hanover Crown by Salic Law.

Victoria Cross. 1856. British medal for bravery.

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