he simplification effected at this time in the functioning of the public administration was a characteristic feature of the Empire. Also at this time took place the final changes in the court hierarchy.

In the area of central administration, the dominant figure was that of the mesazon; it was he who carried out the duties of prime minister and counsellor of the emperor. As far as the finances of the state are concerned, they seem to have been controlled by the megas logothetes, while the protovestiarios was in charge of the imperial as well as of the public treasury. Judicial issues were dealt with by senior public servants. It was the emperor, however, who embodied the political ideology of the Byzantine people, and his seat was the supreme court of the state.

In the area of provincial government, the Empire was divided into administrative regions under the general control of the doukas, the supreme military ruler. The defence of each particular region was assumed by the local inhabitants who were allotted a military pronoia for their services. For his campaigns, however, Theodore I relied on a permanent army of mercenaries, most of whom were Latin soldiers. This was a policy followed by all the emperors of Nicaea.

Along with the army, Theodore I proceeded to create a fleet. Naturally, its size was not such as to allow it to confront the superior Venetian armada, but it nevertheless was able to play an important role in Laskaris' expansionist campaigns in the neighbouring areas of Asia Minor.