He was a contemporary with the Ptolemaic Greek Queen Cleopatra VII and Roman Triumvir Mark Antony, as Artavasdes I was mentioned in their diplomatic affairs.

[3] When Mark Antony led his campaign against the Parthian Empire in 36 BC, Artavasdes I was an ally of the King Phraates IV of Parthia.

[11] Antony moved with his army in fast marches to Phraaspa, the strong fortified capital of Media Atropatene, where Artavasdes I had got his family to safety.

Besides his stronger ally Phraates IV treated him condescending and gave him only little booty and was near depriving him of his dominion.

[13] To deepen this friendship Alexander Helios, the son of Antony and Cleopatra VII, was betrothed to Artavasdes I's daughter Iotapa, although both were infants in 34 BC.

[15] During Artavasdes' imprisonment, a civil war between the Parthians later took place, which gave him the opportunity to escape prison.

He took refuge with Augustus, who received him with friendliness,[16] gave him back his daughter Iotapa[17] and made him a client king of Lesser Armenia.