I thought Gates’ avatar struck me as familiar…
He’s a Centauri (Babylon 5)!!!
More evidence is from the Babylon 5 entry on Centauri:
Their dress and customs reflect their imperialistic culture, with militaristic clothing reminiscent of the 18th Century for the men, gowns for the women whose design appears to be of similar general vintage, and a generally courtly manner one would expect to find in Victorian England or Imperial France.
Just like Gates using affected speech patterns to imply an authority and prestige that he not actually have.
Either that or …
Benito Mussolini, vain and power hungry, trying to recapture the lost glory of Roman.