He called the Senate together one day, and, while he was addressing them, the attention of the Assembly was suddenly distracted by the noise of outcries and screams in the neighboring streets from those who were suffering military execution there.

The senators started with horror at the sound.

Sylla, with an air of great composure and unconcern, directed the members to listen to him, and to pay no attention to what was passing elsewhere.

The sounds that they heard were, he said, only some correction which was bestowed by his orders on certain disturbers of the public peace.
[Sidenote: Executions.] [Sidenote: Extent of Sylla's proscriptions.] [Sidenote: Man's nature.] Sylla's orders for the execution of those who had taken an active part against him were not confined to Rome.

They went to the neighboring cities and to distant provinces, carrying terror and distress every where.