From the earliest times these marauders had been in the habit of depredating on the shores of the Mediterranean.
During the civil wars of Rome they had become much bolder, so that the city was compelled to take an active part against them.

They had paralyzed the trade of the Mediterranean, and even the coasts of Italy were not safe from their raids.
GABINIUS, a Tribune, proposed that Pompey should hold his command for three years; that he should have supreme authority over all Roman magistrates in the provinces throughout the Mediterranean, and over the coasts for fifty miles inland.

He was to have fifteen lieutenants, all ex-praetors, two hundred ships, and all the troops he needed.
In three months the pirates were swept from the sea.
The next year (66) Pompey's powers were still further enlarged by the MANILIAN LAW, proposed by the Tribune Manilius.

By this law the entire control of the Roman policy in the East was given to Pompey.

His appointment was violently opposed by the Senate, especially by CATULUS, the "father of the Senate," and by the orator HORTENSIUS; but CICERO with his first political speech (_Pro Lege Manilia_) came to Pompey's assistance, and to him was given the command by which he became virtually dictator in the East.