Nick, One must look at who Cicero was. He was an egotist lookiing for ways to better his cause. He thought by Supporting Pompey he would appeal to the enemies of Caesar. Cicero was indirectly a ally of the Aristocracy and the Optimates. Notice how most of the good stuff written about Cicero was aritten by aristocrats themselves in History, such as the ancient historians and of course Gibbon. Read the newest book by Parenti caled "The Assassination of Caesar". It is a peoples history of the Roman Republic.