Even without a convenient opportunity, and despite his own inadequacy, he would have been led to praise Alexios I by the latter's deeds, especially his defeat of the Pechenegs, which led to the recent peace. Alexios was a splendid model of virtue and courage for all philosophers. He gave an intimidating description of the Pechenegs, showing Alexios 1's achievement in forcing them to make peace without bloodshed; he praised his use of the "Huns" (Cumans) against the Pechenegs, and his intimidation of the Turkish ruler (Malik-Shah?). He praised Alexios 1's excellent qualities: courage of which he was an outstanding example, reason in not acting precipitously, justice and clemency in dealing with barbarians (not a sign of weakness, but a way of regaining cities), mildness over a recent plot, and prudence in making appointments. He praised Alexios I's family; Eirene Doukaina, the only woman he loved, mother of his children; his son, Ioannes, who should at once become co-emperor; Anna Dalassene, the palace's moral force and his co-ruler and second, sometimes even in his presence. He ended his encomium with a wish for still more descendants for Anna Dalassene, then handed over the praise of the emperor to his students