Isaakios (I) intended to use Nicaea as a base of operations, and so he advanced slowly in order to allow troops and generals still loyal to Michael VI to leave. Among the latter were Lykanthes, Theophylaktos Maniakes and Pnyemios the Iberian, who withdrew from Nicaea when told of his arrival and went to Michael VI to announce the news. When Isaakios heard that the domestikos Theodoros and his men had encamped on Mount Sophon, he sent out spies everywhere, marched quickly, took Nicaea and installed an adequate garrison there while himself pitching camp twelve stades away. There were many desertions from Michael to Isaakios