He was the first catepan appointed after Argyros left Italy in 1058. He had been preceded in 1060 by a merarches, but the latter's offensive against the Normans had peaked before his arrival and he adopted a defensive posture.
Following Argyros' departure from Italy in 1058, he was the first catepan to be appointed. Prior to him, a merarches had held the position, but their offensive against the Normans had reached its peak by then, prompting him to adopt a more defensive approach.