It was in that year, too that a law was passed in Rome, at the instance of one Gabinius, a tribune, authorizing Pompey to exterminate the pirates in the Mediterranean, and giving him almost unlimited power for this object.

Pompey was not, indeed, named in this law.

A single general, one who had been Consul, was to be approved by the Senate, with exclusive command by sea and for fifty miles on shore.
He was to select as his own officers a hitherto unheard-of number, all of senatorial rank.

It was well understood when the law was worded that Pompey alone could fill the place.

The Senate opposed the scheme with all its power, although, seven years before, it had acknowledged the necessity of some measure for extirpating the pirates.