 On September 20, 1322 he profited from the absence of Guido Novello da Polenta to seize power in Ravenna, killing the archbishop Rinaldo da Polenta.Four years later Ostasio had his uncle Bannino da Polenta, who held power in Cervia, killed, assuming thenceforth the lordship of that city also.Ostasio was also a patron of the arts, and housed Giovanni Boccaccio in his court (1345–1346).