Editing Pompey (section)

==First Consulship==
During Pompey's absence, Marcus Licinius 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 in 71 BC, arriving in time to massacre 6,000 fugitives from the battle. His claim to have ended the war by doing so was a long-standing source of resentment for Crassus.<ref>Plutarch, ''Life of Crassus'', 11.7</ref><ref>Plutarch, ''Parallel Lives'', ''Life of Pompey'', 21.2.</ref>

[[File:Pompey,_aureus,_71_BC,_RRC_402-1.png|thumb|right|upright=1.15|[[Aureus]] minted by Pompey for his second triumph in 71&nbsp;BC, featuring the head of Africa on the obverse (celebrating his victory against [[Hiarbas (king)|Hiarbas]]). The reverse shows Pompey in his triumphal chariot, with his son [[Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (son of Pompey)|Gnaeus]] seated before and [[Victoria (mythology)|Victory]] flying above.{{sfn|Crawford|1974|pp=412–413}}]]

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.<ref name="Livy, Periochae, 97.6">Livy, ''Periochae'', 97.6</ref> [[Plutarch]] suggests Pompey supported Crassus as his co-consul in order to put him under an obligation.<ref name=":7">Plutarch, ''Life of Crassus'', 12.1</ref> The two men were elected consuls for 70&nbsp;BC, but allegedly differed on almost every measure, rendering their term "politically barren and without achievement."<ref>Plutarch, ''Life of Crassus'', 12.2</ref>

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. Although 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.<ref name="Livy, Periochae, 97.6"/>