Lex Varia

The lex Varia was a law introduced by the Roman tribune Quintus Varius Severus in the year 90 BC.^[1][2] The law created a special tribunal responsible for prosecuting Roman politicians who had "encouraged" the rebellion of the Socii during the currently raging Social War.^[1] In practice this meant that Varius and the factions which supported him got to exile their political opponents.^[1] When the tumult died down the establishment turned against Varius and he was exiled using his own law.^[1] Later, politicians like tribune Publius Sulpicius would try to have the sentences rescinded.^[1][3]