He served as "krites" (judge) in Opsikion, with the rank of "protospatharios" (one of the highest judicial ranks, usually awarded to senior generals and provincial governors). In this capacity he persecuted heretics at Akmoneia. He was then promoted to the post of "quaestor" (the senior judicial official for the imperial capital, Constantinople) and became one of the judges of the Hippodrome, the High Court of the Empire. In this role he is mentioned in the "Peira", a compendium of legal decisions compiled by the noted jurist Eustathios Rhomaios. He was promoted further to the rank of "patrikios" and the post of "oikonomos" (administrator) of the Great Church, while continuing to preside over the High Court. Under Emperor Constantine VIII he held the post of urban prefect of Constantinople, which made him the formal head of the Senate and one of the emperor's chief lieutenants.