human
So if it's not a monarchy, what'll we call El Hassan?
gpt
We'll call him simply _El Hassan_. Monarchies are of the past, and El Hassan is the voice of the future, something new. We won't admit he's just a latter-day tyrant, an opportunist seizing power because it's there crying to be seized. Actually, El Hassan is in the tradition of Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, or, more recently, Napoleon. But he's a modern version, and we're not going to hang the old labels on him.
human
I think you're right,
gpt
Sold, Homer agreed.
human
So we aren't a monarchy. We're a tyranny. His face had begun by expressing amusement, but that fell off. He added,
gpt
As a young sociologist, I never expected to wind up a literal tyrant.
human
Wait a minute. See if I can remember this. Comes from Byron.
gpt
The tyrant of the Chersonese Was freedom's best and bravest friend. That tyrant was Miltiades, Oh that the present hour would lend Another despot of the kind. Such bonds as his were sure to bind.
human
Why Elmer, who'd ever dream you read verse, not to speak of memorizing it, you old sourpuss.
gpt
Yeah, Miltiades. Seized power, whipped the Athenians into shape to the point where they were able to take the Persians at Marathon, which should have been impossible. He looked around at the others, winding up with Elmer.
human
What happened to Miltiades after Marathon and after the emergency was over?
gpt
I don't remember,