Pro legğ Manīlia

Pro legğ Manīlia (‘in support of the Manilian law’; also known as De imperio Cn. Pompeii, ‘on the command of Pompey’), speech by Cicero in 66 ((1) 1) delivered before the people when Cicero was praetor, in support of the proposal of the tribune Manilius to extend Pompey's command in Asia to Bithynia, Pontus, and Armenia so as to enable him to take over the command in the war against Mithridates. This was Cicero's first speech on purely public affairs, and was delivered in order to promote the interests of the equestrian order (who, being the businessmen of Rome, were suffering severe financial losses because of the disturbed condition of the rich province of Asia Minor). Although this command was against the wishes of the senate the proposal was carried.