ita ut ... non esset:
This is an ut result clause. Translate as "they were SO infesting the seas that..."
UtRes
When translating, connect Romanis with victoribus and toto with orbe
Compare this line to the sentence navigatio non est tuta Romanis, qui erant victores in toto orbe.
navigatio tuta non esset:
Because of the presence of the pirates, grain prices were rising and the corn supply in Rome
was being affected. This food shortage led to a sense of disrest among the Roman people.
Cn. Pompeio:
In 67 BCE, A. Gabinus proposed that action must be taken against the pirates.
He proposed that a man be given imperium infinitum across the Mediterranean
and that he be equipped with the proper men, ships, and money to end the pirate raids.
There was a great controversy over whether or not so much power should be given to one man.
In the end, the Senate passed the Lex Gabinia. Pompey was made the commander of 500 ships and
120,000 infantrymen. He also had access to 6,000 talents and received the right to appoint 24 legates.