Though the aristocracy in the capital might own its defeat, there was now--for the first time since the commencement of the revolution--yet another power in Italy which could not be overlooked, viz.

the two strong and victorious armies of the proconsul Strabo and the consul Sulla.

The political position of Strabo might be ambiguous, but Sulla, although he had given way to open violence for the moment, was on the best terms with the majority of the senate; and not only so, but he had, immediately after countermanding the solemnities, departed for Campania to join his army.

To terrify the unarmed consul by bludgeon-men or the defenceless capital by the swords of the legions, amounted to the same thing in the end: Sulpicius assumed that his opponent, now when he could, would requite violence with violence and return to the capital at the head of his legions to overthrow the conservative demagogue and his laws along with him.

Perhaps he was mistaken.