 Allegedly, he was a man of some culture, as he was in reportedly in contact with the Provençal troubadours Peire de la Caravana and Peire Vidal, likely to contract their services on behalf of his wealthy patrons.He was the son of Giorgia, daughter of Constantine II of Cagliari, and Obert, Margrave of Massa.He was a brother of William, Margrave of Massa.