Vestes

', when it was held by Nikephoros Phokas, son of the Leo [Phokas the Younger|Leo Phokas]. The title remained high in the Byzantine imperial hierarchy throughout most of the 11th century, being often combined with the title of and awarded to prominent generals, among others Isaac Komnenos when he was of the East, Leo Tornikios and Nikephoros Botaneiates during his tenure as of Edessa and Antioch. The Escorial Taktikon, a list of offices and court titles and their precedence compiled in the 970s, distinguishes between "bearded" , who also held the titles of or, and the eunuch , who held the title of.
As with other titles of the middle Byzantine period, the prestige of declined towards the end of the 11th century, when it is attested as being held by lower-ranking officials. To counter this devaluation, the superior title of ' appeared at the same time. Both titles, however, do not appear to have survived the reign of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos.