Why the Hate on Cicero?

Minor Rome spoilers, but if they’re actually spoilers for you then you need to go and read a damn history book…

• I was untroubled by the exclusion of Antony’s funeral oration for Caesar. Seems to me that any effort would invariably have evoked an unflattering comparison to Shakespeare, and to Brando’s performance of the oration in particular. Better to focus on the response, particularly on how Brutus’ contribution went over like a lead brick.
• Why the hating on Cicero? The depiction in the series thus far has been extremely unflattering to my favorite Roman. Cicero was a decent guy, one of the few dedicated to actually holding the Republic together. I understand that it’s kind of hard to depict excellent oratory without actually telling the audience that this is what you’re depicting, but nevertheless the man deserves better…
• I’m sad that we’ll soon be losing Max Pirkis in favor of an older actor. He’s nothing short of outstanding as the young Octavian.
• The Pullo-Vorenus exchange was nicely done. Pullo has never been the sort that you would expect capable of a calm, rational approach to difficult subjects, but they did a good job of putting him in a position such that his friendship with Vorenus required a reining in, rather than psychotic assault.