Lex Gabinia

The Lex Gabinia was a Roman law passed in 67 BCE that granted a Roman general, Pompey, extraordinary powers to combat piracy in the Mediterranean. Recognizing piracy’s threat to trade and security, the law gave Pompey a wide authority, including control over a large fleet and command over land and sea forces, for an initial period of three years. This effectively made him a temporary military dictator, allowing him to organize an effective campaign to eliminate piracy. The law was significant because it expanded the power of individual generals beyond traditional boundaries to address urgent threats efficiently.