 Nikephoros Xiphias was born probably some time around or before 980 , and was most likely the son of Alexios Xiphias , who served as the Catepan of Italy in 1006 – 08 . Few members of the <unk> are otherwise known and the family 's origin is unclear , but they most likely hailed from Asia Minor , like many other prestigious families of the military aristocracy of the period . 
