Page "Megas doux" Paragraph 5

After the recovery of Constantinople in 1261, it reverted to its old function as commander-in-chief of the navy, and remained a high rank for the remainder of the empire, its holder ranking sixth after the emperor, between the prōtovestiarios and the prōtostratōr.

As such, it was also sometimes conferred upon foreigners in imperial service, the most notable among these being the Italian Licario, who recovered many Aegean islands for Emperor Michael VIII, and Roger de Flor, head of the Catalan Company.

After the mid-14th century, the office was sometimes held together with the office of mesazōn, the chief of the imperial secretariat.

In this capacity, Alexios Apokaukos served as one of the leading members of the imperial government during the Civil War of 1341 – 1347, supporting John V Palaiologos ( r. 1341 – 1391 ) against John VI Kantakouzenos ( r. 1347 – 1354 ).

The last and perhaps most famous megas doux and mesazōn was Loukas Notaras, who served under Constantine XI Palaiologos ( r. 1449 – 1453 ) until the Fall of Constantinople.