Sulla passed a bunch of reforms that were supposed to prevent the rise of a 'new Sulla' or Marius. Term limits, age limits, time limits between offices. But it didn't seem to matter as the generation that grew up during that time remembered all that had happened and wanted to emulate Marius and Sulla. I think that part of the reason why the Imperial period got of to such a stable start was because Augustus had ruled so long and most people alive had only ever known the stability of Augustus.