Marcus Aurelius Cotta, who had returned to Rome in 70 BCE for his successful prosecution of the Third Mithridatic War, had at first been widely acclaimed for his victory at Heraclea.

Accused, however, around 67 BCE by Gaius Papirius Carbo of appropriation of war booty and convicted of the offense, he is expelled from the Senate.

Julius Caesar, on his return to Rome in 67 BCE, marries Pompeia, a granddaughter of Sulla.

The tribune Aulus Gabinius finally forces a bill through the popular assembly in 67 empowering Pompey to settle the pirate problem, giving Pompey command of the Mediterranean and all the land within fifty miles (eight-one kilometers) of its coast as a means of controlling the depredations of pirates.

The object of another Gabinian measure, which checks the lending of money to foreign ambassadors at Rome, is to prevent the bribing of senators.

By another measure of Gabinius, the Senate is ordered to give audience to foreign envoys on certain fixed days (February 1 - March 1).