 From these references some earlier scholars erroneously inferred that Michael received the title of "despotes" from Alexios.Lucien Stiernon, followed by Varzos, places the ransoming of Alexios in 1206/7.Loenertz on the other hand considers it a result of Michael's rapprochement with the Latins and places it in 1210, when the interests of the Latin Empire in curbing the growing power of Nicaea coincided with Michael's intention to ransom Alexios.