Consequently, the incumbent of the office often served as the Empire's chief minister, although this ultimately depended on the reigning emperor. The Byzantines never formalized such a position, nor was it attached to a particular office, rather it was granted ad hoc on the basis of each emperor's favour towards a particular courtier, irrespective of rank or office. As Guilland points out, the senior officials of the imperial household—the , and –had far more opportunity to attract imperial favour and consequently were more often chosen to fill the role of chief minister. Notable who served as chief ministers include Staurakios under Empress Irene of Athens (), Theoktistos during the regency of Empress Theodora (842–856), Stylianos Zaoutzes in the early reign of Leo VI the Wise (), Leo Phokas the Younger during the rule of his brother Nikephoros II Phokas (), John under Constantine IX Monomachos (), and Nikephoritzes under Michael VII Doukas (). The 10th-century De Ceremoniis of Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus () depicts the administrative and ceremonial roles of the : he was received in audience every morning by the Emperor in the Chrysotriklinos, he presented the senior officials at award-giving ceremonies, and had a prominent part in the reception of foreign embassies, as well as the exhibition of captives. After the reforms of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (), in the ceased to exist as a department, but the remained, now responsible for official communications and for supervising foreigners resident in Constantinople. At the same time, the lost his pre-eminence among the senior ministers to the , a post which later evolved to the . Subordinate officials The subordinates of the were: The (), his senior deputy. The (), who were clerks with the rank of , combining the functions of the Roman found in the Notitia Dignitatum and of the officials in charge of the , the 'Bureau of Barbarians'. A number of (), officials in charge of the various imperial estates (). Translators (, ), also attested (as ) in the Notitia Dignitatum. The (), in charge of the , a building in Constantinople that housed foreign envoys. Various inspectors, the (, the old Roman ) and messengers (, ). References Sources Further reading Byzantine administrative offices Foreign relations of the Byzantine Empire Heads of government