in Hispania from 73 to 71 BC, Crassus was charged with suppressing the slave rebellion led by Spartacus known as the Third Servile War. Pompey returned to Italy just before Crassus defeated the main rebel army, arriving in time to massacre 6,000 fugitives from the battle. His claim to have ended the war by doing so was bitterly resented by Crassus. Pompey was granted a second triumph for his victory in Hispania, and nominated for the consulship. Since he was both too young and technically ineligible, this required a special senatorial decree. Plutarch suggests Pompey supported Crassus as his co-consul in order to put him under an obligation. The two men were elected consuls for 70 BC, but allegedly differed on almost every measure, rendering their term "politically barren and without achievement." However, their consulship did see the plebeian tribune recover powers removed by Sulla. One of the most significant was the ability to veto Senatorial bills, an act often seen as a turning point in the politics of the late Republic. Highly popular with the people, the measure must have been opposed by the optimates, and thus passing it required support from both consuls, although most extant sources barely mention Crassus. Campaign against the pirates (67 BC) Piracy was a widespread problem throughout the Mediterranean region, while many pirates formed temporary alliances with enemies of Rome, including Sertorius and Mithridates. Principally based in Cilicia, in 68 BC they raided as far as Ostia, Rome's port, and kidnapped two senators. Seeing an opportunity, Pompey asked Aulus Gabinius, tribune of the plebs in 67 BC, to draft a law giving him a command against the pirates. The Lex Gabinia granted him proconsular authority for three years in any province within 50 miles of the Mediterranean, along with the power to appoint legates and significant financial resources. Concerned by the powers granted to one man, the law was fiercely opposed by the consuls and Senate, but passed by the tribunate. Most of the difficulties Pompey faced came from clashes with officials who resented his authority. In Gaul, consul Piso hampered efforts to recruitment efforts, while in Crete, proconsul Quintus Metellus refused to comply with his instructions. Pompey spread his forces throughout the Mediterranean to prevent the pirates escaping a Roman fleet by moving elsewhere. Fifteen legates were given specific areas to patrol, while he secured the grain route to Rome. These measures