They even begged the Praetors, Consuls and other magistrates. Besides the emperor, consuls and praetors could also preside over the senate. Provinces were generally governed by politicians of senatorial rank, usually former consuls or former "praetors". The Comitia Centuriata would elect magistrates who had the "imperium" powers (consuls and praetors). The "imperium" was held by both consuls and praetors. Livy describes the assignments given to either consuls or praetors in some detail. Consular dating became obsolete following the abandonment of appointing nonimperial consuls in 541. In Rome, the plebeians were insistent about the dyad of consuls. Originally the chief-magistrates, the "consuls", appointed all new senators. The Senate and the consuls were cowed. In addition, the emperor frequently had himself elected as one of the Consuls or Censors. Executive authority was vested in a Consulate consisting of five consuls. There are also 354 unpaid honorary consuls. There was also a deputy major, consuls and captains. Porsena commanded the center, facing the two Roman consuls.