Lex Vatinia

The lex Vatinia (probably passed in May or early June 59 BC) also known as the lex Vatinia de provincia Caesaris or the lex Vatinia de imperio Caesaris, was a law which made Gaius Julius Caesarproconsular governor of Cisalpine Gaul and Illyricum for five years. It was named after and proposed, in the tribal assembly, by plebeian tribunePublius Vatinius. Along with the provinces, it also gave him the three legions already present there and the privilege of naming his own legates. Caesar also received Titus Labienus as legatus cum imperio (legate with imperium) in the law; Labienus' appointment may have been a sign of friendship between Pompey and Caesar.