Akolouthos

The title is first attested in the late 9th century, when the Kletorologion of 899 lists him as one of the senior officers of the Vigla or Arithmos guard regiment (tagma).

The post of akolouthos became an independent command, still linked to mercenary contingents, now chiefly the Varangian Guard,[1] which from the Komnenian period on became one of the main, and most enduring, corps of the imperial bodyguard.

[1] The akolouthos is still named as the chief of the Varangians in the mid-14th century Book of Offices of pseudo-Kodinos, but the last attested holder of the post is a certain John Nomikopoulos in 1199.

A patrikios Michael served as akolouthos under Constantine IX Monomachos (r. 1042–1055), and was active as a general against the Pechenegs and the Seljuk Turks.

[8] Under Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143–1180), the akolouthos Stephen was sent by the emperor to accompany and guide Conrad III of Germany while crossing Byzantine territory during the Second Crusade (1147).