Walls of Constantinople
In 1185, Isaac II Angelos (), a first cousin on his mother's side, took the throne, and Kamytzes received the title of "protostrator". By this time, this rank was reserved for very prominent aristocrats with close family ties to the reigning dynasty. Kamytzes played an important role in the suppression of the revolt of the general Alexios Branas, which broke out during the summer of 1186, or, more likely, in 1187. Kamytzes and Branas were bitter enemies at court, so Kamytzes made his entire fortune available to the Emperor for use against the rebel, and himself commanded the left wing of the Imperial army under Conrad of Montferrat that defeated and killed the rebel before the Walls of Constantinople.