The office first appears in the Komnenian period, either under Alexios I Komnenos () or at any rate by the third quarter of the 12th century, and apparently replaced the "anagrapheus". The office continued in existence until the end of the Byzantine Empire in the 15th century. The "apographeus" was in charge of the land survey ("apographē") that served as the basis for the tax assessment owed by individuals, as well for the purpose of redivision of lands ("merismos") and the assessment of imperial grants of revenue ("posotēs") of an estate to "pronoia" holders or to establishments such as monasteries and other pious foundations. The post of "apographeus" was often held in tandem by the governor ("doux", "kephalē") of a province.