Sulla himself seems to have believed that when the thing was accomplished Rome would go on, and grow in power and prosperity as she had grown, without other reforms than those which he had initiated.

There can be no doubt that many of the best in Rome--the best in morals, the best in patriotism, and the best in erudition--did think that, with the old forms, the old virtue would come back.

Pompey thought so, and Cicero.

Cato thought so, and Brutus.

Caesar, when he came to think about it, thought the reverse.