The title of epi tou stratou (Ancient Greek: ἐπὶ τοῦ στρατοῦ; "the one in charge of the army") was a Byzantine military position attested during the 14th century.
According to the Book of Offices of Pseudo-Kodinos, written shortly after the mid-14th century, the epi tou stratou was a subaltern official of the megas domestikos, the commander-in-chief of the Byzantine army.
On campaign, he scouted ahead of the army to find a suitable camping place, but his choice had to be confirmed by the megas domestikos.
[1][2] Most of the holders were military commanders, and their actual responsibilities were wider than implied by Pseudo-Kodinos;[3] according to Rodolphe Guilland, in reality it appears that the office was simply conferred to give its holder a place in the imperial hierarchy.
[4] His distinctive court dress consisted of a gold-brocaded hat (skiadion), a plain silk kabbadion tunic, and a domed skaranikon hat, of lemon-yellow silk and decorated with gold wire embroidery, and with a portrait of the emperor seated on a throne in front and another with the emperor on horseback on the rear.