Sulla had a long memory. He recalled the legislative and judicial antics of senators and equestrians leading up to the catastrophe of 91 BC. Those equestrians who had terrorized the senate with their dominance of the law courts now experienced the terror of a state with no law courts whatsoever. Anyone who had illegally put to death a supporter of Sulla now experienced the fear of death for himself at first hand. Furthermore, while Sulla seemed purely focused on the twin goals of purging the state and exacting personal revenge, the motives of others were not so pure.
