Psellos wrote to Romanos IV congratulating him on a victory, which he pictured in his mind's eye, having observed Romanos closely for many days. He told the empress Eudokia of the victory, giving her an eyewitness report of frugal camp life. She wept, thanking God and seeking details, admiring Romanos' bravery and love. Psellos spread the news throughout the capital. Ioannes Xiphilinos the patriarch was delighted, as were the senate and many individual senators. Even the emperor's infant son smiled and squirmed when Psellos whispered into his ear news of his father's victory. Psellos promised untiring praise of the emperor, and thanked him for communicating with Eudokia over so unimportant a subject as a favour to Psellos, referring to himself as a dead dog