The work of Sulla was now quickly undone. The Tribunes regained their
prerogative, the veto. The control of the criminal courts was
transferred again from the Senate to the Equites, and the former body
was cleared of its most worthless members, who had been appointed by
Sulla.

For three years (70-67) after the expiration of his consulship, Pompey
remained quietly at Rome. He was then put in charge of an expedition
against the Greek pirates. 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