It's been ages since I put in my two cents worth but I couldn't resist Heraklia's invitation to comment on Mark Chickpea.

I find much to dislike about Cicero - his insincerity, snobbery and hypocrisy - have always affronted my sensibilities.

But it's his fence sitting that really gets me riled. Dante once said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality.

For all of Cato's infuriating pure-as-the-driven-snow polemicism I have always had far more sympathy and understanding for him than for Cicero (who comes across as the Adlai Stevenson of his generation).