universas, 'taken as a whole.' Cicero is careful to speak with respect of Sulla, because he had been the great champion of the aristocratic party, which was now supporting the orator against Catilina. But further on he alludes to the horror which the recollection of the proscriptions still inspired.
sed tamen ii sunt coloni, etc. Note that 'qui . . . iactarunt' is not consecutive. Hence tr. 'Nevertheless the men in question are colonists who,' etc. For 'ii' which seems awkward, 'in iis' has been conjectured.
beati, here, as often, of material prosperity, 'well-to-do.'
familiis, 'establishments,' (of slaves and dependents).
illorum temporum, i.e. the reign of terror under Marius and Cinna (87, 86 b.c.), during which many of the aristocratic leaders perished; and the period of Sulla's dictatorship, with its wholesale proscriptions of the popular party.
tantus is adverbial; 'to such an extent.' Cf. [1. 16] 'quae tibi nulla videtur.'
non modo homines, etc. Understand 'non passuri esse videantur' after 'non modo,' and see note on [1. 25] for explanation.
iam pridem premuntur, 'have long been overwhelmed.'
emergunt, 'get their heads above water.' Cf. Juvenal 3. 164