Name X.

X’s letters are often credited for initiating the 14th-century Renaissance in public affairs, humanism, and classical Roman culture. As the legend goes, X was being carried away on a litter (palanquin) when he was finally tracked down by Mark Antony’s men. He calmly ordered his men to put the litter down, and held his neck out to be cut in a gladiatorial gesture. His last eloquent words are said to be “There is nothing proper about what you are doing, soldier, but do try to kill me properly."

According to Cassius Dio, Antony's wife took X's head, pulled out his tongue, and jabbed it repeatedly with her hairpin in final revenge against X's power of speech.