Robert Guiscard had been so successful in Italy that he decided to aim at the Byzantine imperial throne, and began to search for reasons to launch an attack. The case of the false Michael VII was a useful opportunity. Two stories circulated as to how the event began. In one, Raiktor the monk took the initiative, pretending to be Michael, complaining he had been compelled to become a monk, and his bride Helena (Robert's daughter) to become, as it were, a widow; Maria of Alania and her son Konstantinos had unwillingly gone over to Nikephoros III. In the other, more credible scenario, the whole scheme was a cynical plan of Robert's: he cunningly convinced opponents of his plans, including his wife Gaita. He sent emissaries to Crotone to search for a presentable Greek monk on pilgrimage to Italy; they found Raiktor, and had him act as the wronged Michael VII as above