The relationship has always been a puzzle. Caesar offered his protection to Cicero many times. When Clodius was attacking the orator, Caesar offered him a post on his staff which would have put Cicero on res publica and protected him at least temporarily, from litigation. Cicero did not accept and preferred exile. Cicero's optimate loyalties just would not let him go that far. He always considered Caesar to be a danger to the senate. Pompey forced Clodius to promise to ease up on Cicero even though Cicero was not at all fond of any of the triumvirs. He feared any one man becoming more powerful than the senate which indeed was to come to pass. It is the attitude of the triumvirs to Cicero that has always puzzled me not only in this case, but also throughout.They seemed to have supported him in his attempts to thwart them even after his exile.