Avshar had invaded the western region of the Videssos empire, ravaging the area touching Vaspurakan and leaving the survivors to starve in the inevitable famine. In Videssos the city, Avtokrator Mavrikios Gavras and his brother, Thorisin led the imperial army across the Cattle Crossing to the west, taking several weeks to get there and stopping at various locations on the journey. Among the soldiers of the imperial army were a contingent of mercenaries known as the Ronams, led by Marcus Scaurus.