Michael VIII Palaiologos named a trusted agent of his, a defector from the Seljuk court named Basil Basilikos, to serve as "parakoimōmenos" of the "koitōn" during his early reign (1259–1261). After becoming sole emperor in 1261, Michael named John Makrenos to the post. Makrenos participated in the campaign to recover the Morea from the Latins, and fought in the battles of Prinitza and Makryplagi, being captured in the latter. He was later returned to Constantinople, where he was accused of treason and blinded. Three "parakoimōmenoi" of the "sphendonē" are known under Michael VIII: the "pansebastos sebastos" Isaac Doukas, brother of John III Vatatzes, who was present at the signature of the Treaty of Nymphaeum and died as an envoy in Genoa; Gabriel Sphrantzes (a nephew of John I Doukas, ruler of Thessaly); and Constantine Doukas Nestongos. Nestongos was closely associated with Andronikos II Palaiologos (), accompanying him on his first expedition against the Aydinid Turks in 1280. He retained his position at least during the early years of Andronikos II's reign.