Back then (or at least now) it was lauded as both a success by players as well as a commercial success
Why Amethyst Is Positioned to Dominate Early Fabled Meta Before diving into specific cards, let's talk about why Amethyst synergies are particularly strong right now
FromTheShire: Even in tribal decks this is a skip in EDH, and it doesn't jump out at me as a piece for standard either

Special Guests Card Gallery and List Secrets of Strixhaven Adrix and Nev, Twincasters Archaeomancer Archmage Emeritus Codie, Vociferous Codex Dualcaster Mage Grim Haruspex Library of Alexandria *Arena only Library of Leng Magus of the Library Murmuring Mystic Sylvan Library Lorwyn Eclipsed Bitterblossom Devoted Druid Dolmen Gate Door of Destinies Faerie Macabre Goblin Chieftain Goblin Sharpshooter Heat Shimmer Helix Pinnacle Idyllic Tutor Leaf-Crowned Visionary Kinsbaile Cavalier Manamorphose Mistbind Clique Painter's Servant Regal Force Risen Reef Slippery Bogle Thousand-Year Elixir Wanderwine Prophets Edge of Eternities Burgeoning Darkness Deafening Silence Green Sun's Zenith Magus of the Moon Nexus of Fate Paradox Haze Robe of Stars Sliver Overlord Warping Wail Tarkir: Dragonstorm Eerie Ultimatum Emergent Ultimatum Emergent Ultimatum Inspired Ultimatum Ruinous Ultimatum Arid Mesa Marsh Flats Misty Rainforest Scalding Tarn Verdant Catacombs Aetherdrift Bone Miser Cavalier of Dawn Chandra's Ignition Chrome Mox Galvanic Blast Lord of the Undead Pathbreaker Ibex Skysovereign, Consul Flagship Thoughtcast Whir of Invention An important note from WotC about the illustrator credit on Skysovereign, Consul Flagship: The correct artist is Imiri Sakabashira which appears in on Magic Arena and Magic Online as such

PYRETIC RITUAL Pyretic Ritual is a staple of Modern Ruby Storm decks, and a Cube favorite
As the conversation goes on it becomes increasingly clear that Marchesa is a master of manipulation, corruption, and violence