Romanos IV sent a general with part of his army to Melitene, together with all the blood-thirsty and warlike Franks, in order to guard the eastern themes and resist the invading Turks and their leader Apsinalios. Romanos himself, after rescuing some foragers from Melitene (showing the incompetence of its governor), advanced into Syria and pitched camp near Aleppo. He at once sent Pechenegs and Romans to pillage the land