Alexios I wrote to Gregorios Pakourianos telling him of Robert Guiscard's seizure of Avlon and his determination to persist in spite of reverses. Alexios told Gregorios to gather his forces and join him with all dispatch. Isaakios, Alexios' brother, was left to govern the capital. His roles included countering enemy propaganda and maintaining the morale of the imperial women - though not, of course, that of the indomitable Anna Dalassene