It is thought that originally only patricians were eligible for the consulship. The Senate had forbidden Caesar to stand for a second consulship in absentia. Moreover, the Senate forbade Caesar to stand for a second consulship "in absentia". His colleague in the consulship was Gaius Marius. He shared the consulship with Gaius Fonteius Capito. Caesar prevailed on Pompey and Crassus to stand for the consulship against Lucius Domitius. Seventeen days after attaining his much sought seventh consulship, Marius died. Following his second consulship, Crassus was appointed as the Governor of Roman Syria. Pliny reports its dedication in 55BC, the year of Pompey's second consulship. Paullus served his first consulship with Marcus Livius Salinator. A year later Marius died of natural causes during his seventh consulship. In Plutarch's account, Pompey was asked to stand for the consulship. This title was usually bestowed on Roman senators who held the consulship. He also served a second consulship with Octavian the same year. Crassus was promised a future consulship.