Friends, Romans, countrymen, hear me out!

I come before you today to share

The truth of recent events that shook
This city's very core, and left us broke.

Julius Caesar, Rome's beloved leader,

Was slain by those who held him dear.
Brutus and Cassius led this deed,
And now we stand here, filled with fear.

Mark Antony, a rival of mine,

Seeks to use these tragic acts divine,
To fuel rebellion and unrest,
And claim the throne at any cost.

But know this, citizens of Rome,

We must not be fooled by empty dome.
Antony seeks power over peace,
And if we listen to his deceit,
We risk destroying all we seek.

Let us instead turn to reason's hand,

And choose a path that leads to season.
Together, let us build anew,
And leave such violence far behind us too!"

"Oh fellow Romans, gather round,

Listen well, for truth is found,
In tales of Caesar's fateful fall,
Whose life was cut so short and small.

Brutus and Cassius, once his kin,

Conspired to bring him down within,
But mark my words, their actions flee,
From loyalty to tyranny.

Yet Antony, with silver tongue,

Stirs up the masses, one by one,
With promises of freedom's light,
And visions of a brighter sight.

But know this, brothers and sisters old,

True liberty lies in unity,
Not in the hands of selfish men,
Who seek to rule with tyranny again.

So let us join our voices strong,

And sing a new song of change,
Where justice reigns supreme,
And equality holds sway without shame."

Readers will have to contend with many strange and foreign-sounding

names in this book. Arabic (and Hebrew) names consist of several
elements, normally a first name and a series of patronymics (e.g., ibn
for “son of” or bint for “daughter of,” in Arabic), as well as titles,
honorifics, and other components relating to place of origin or residence,
profession, clan, tribe, or accomplishment. A given individual
might be referred to by any of these. For example, the caliph ‘Abd
al-Rahman III was ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah
al-Nasir li-Din Allah. He is typically referred to as “‘Abd al-Rahman”
or “al-Nasir” (but never “‘Abd” or “Rahman”). The “III” is a modern
addition; rulers were not typically referred to numerically in this era.
The patronymic can function like a surname, particularly if it relates
to an ancestor regarded as illustrious or the founder of the family. For
example, ‘Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Sa’id ibn Hazm is usually referred to as
“Ibn Hazm.” His larger family might be known as the “Banu Hazm”
(the sons, descendants, or clan of Hazm).
Latin Christian names can also be confusing, if only because of
the propensity for certain ones to become popular at certain times,
making for proliferations of Alfonsos, Pedros, and Sanchos that can
drive even a seasoned medievalist to distraction. To alleviate some of
the potential frustration, I have usually used the form of each name
that corresponds to the individual’s region of origin or identification.
Hence, an Alfonso from Castile or León is “Alfonso,” from Portugal,
“Afonso,” and from Catalonia, “Alfons.” The names of the Arista
family are given in Basque; as per convention, Castilian versions are
used for their successors as rulers of Pamplona and Navarre.

Mark Antony's speech in the style of the Gettysburg Address

"Fellow Romans, we are gathered here today to remember the fallen heroes of our
republic. Their sacrifice has ensured that our nation will continue to thrive under
the guidance of leaders like ourselves.

But let us also acknowledge the darker moments in our history, where brother rose
against brother in civil strife. The assassination of Julius Caesar stands as a
testament to the fragility of our democracy and the need for constant vigilance
against threats both internal and external.

As we move forward, let us commit ourselves to upholding the principles upon which
our society was founded - equality, justice, and the pursuit of happiness for all
people. Let us honor the memories of those lost in service to our ideals, and work
tirelessly towards building a better future for generations yet unborn."

Fair friends, we meet today on hallowed ground,

A place where valor and courage were found,
Where brave souls faced the enemy's might,
And victory hung in the balance bright.

Here, our Union soldiers did engage,

Against Confederate foes they did clash,
And many a valiant heart did quake,
As bullets whizzed through fields of grass.

Now, four score and seven years hence,

We gather here to pay our debt,
To honor those who perished then,
And keep alive their memory ten.

These honored dead shall never fade,

Their bravery shall echo long,
And future generations shall gaze,
Upon their graves with reverence strong.
Shall patriots rise to take their part,
Defending rights and liberties so rare,
And thus secure a lasting peace,
Under God's watchful eye and care."