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While the Roman senate was debating a conspiracy to overthrow the government, Julius Caesar (100– 44 BCE) received a note. Cato (95–46 BCE), who opposed Caesar, accused him of corresponding with enemies of the state and demanded to be allowed to read the message. What was it?

Answer: The note was a love letter from Cato’s own sister. Furious, Cato threw the note back to Caesar saying, “keep it, you drunkard” and returned to the debate.

Source: Encyclopedia of Women in the Ancient World by Joyce E. Salisbury

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Marcus Porcius Cato (234-149BCE)

Roman statesman, soldier and writer of virtue, simplicity and wisdom. He condemned the luxury of his time and was nicknamed “the censor”. He became Consul in 195BCE, took part in the defeat of Hannibal at Zama, held command in Sardinia and Spain, and in 191 BCE assisted the Greeks in overthrowing Antiochus III at Thermopolyae.

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