Be kind this is my first post.
I think that, at least in the short term, there was a power vacuum after Sulla's retirement.
As an example here is plutarchs account of Sulla's last days:
"For instance, ten days before he died, he reconciled the opposing factions in Dicaearchia, and prescribed a code of laws for their conduct of the city's government; and one day before he died, on learning that the magistrate there, Granius, refused to pay a debt he owed the public treasury, in expectation of his death, he summoned him to his room, stationed his servants about him, and ordered them to strangle him" Plutarch.
In my opinion had the roman government not been in a quandry and still living in fear of their erstwhile dictator and ex-consul they would have dealt with these matters themselves (considering the areas in question were a mere two days ride from rome) and furthermore would have instructed Sulla, a mere private citizen, to keep his nose out of their business. The consuls Appius Claudius Pulcher and Vatia Isauricus should, had they been secure in their authority, deputed someone to deal with the situation and reprimand Sulla for his presumption at least.
Some may argue that Sulla still had the legal right to carry on in this way and these powers did not expire upon his resignation:
"Moreover, an act was passed granting him immunity for all his past acts, and for the future, power of life and death, of confiscation, of colonization, of founding or demolishing cities, and of taking away or bestowing kingdoms at his pleasure."Plutarch.
But is it really believable that a powerful and stable consular government would not have stripped Sulla of these powers immediately upon his abdication of dictatorial status. bearing in mind that the roman senate was ever vigilant in guarding its own powers and rights. For example in the case of M. Livius Drusus during his attempts to enfranchise all of italy as compared with his previously staunch support of the senate and his measures to reduce the power of the knights.
Just my point of view though, I'm sure some of you lot'll be able to shoot my theories down in flames.
