Zemstvo. 1864-1917. Russian provincial assemblies instituted by Alexander II. Liberal influence.

Zeno of Citium. c335-263BC. Greek founder of Stoicism. Early anarchist: “Compulsion perverts the nature of man”.

Zhivkov, Todor. 1911-98. Bulgarian leader 1954-89. Loyal to Moscow. Confrontations with Yugoslavia.

Zoë. 978-1050. Byzantine Empress 1028-. Married and murdered Romanus III. Crowned lover Michael IV and son Michael V. Married Constantine IX.

Zoroaster. Zarathustra. c628-551BC. Persian religious reformer, founder of Zoroastrianism. World is an eternal struggle between forces of good and evil.

Zuiderzee. Netherlands. 13C. Floods caused by storms. 1927-32 Dam built. 1930s Land reclaimed. 1944 Flooded by Nazis. 1946 reclaimed.