Romanos (IV) asked Konstantinos X to be made vestarches, but was told that he would have to show some deeds in order to be thus rewarded. Romanos went to Serdica, where he was appointed doux, defeated some Pechenegs and sent their heads to the emperor who then bestowed the dignity. He decided to use his position at Serdica to make a bid to seize power via the Sauromatai (Hungarians), who knew him from when he had fought against them while ruling the cities of the Istros (Danube). He sent them letters to that effect