[12] Roman historian of the 4th century Sextus Rufus informs us that anti-Roman sentiment was building in Armenia during the reign of Tigranes IV and Erato.

The dispossessed and the discontent of the ruling Artaxiad monarchs and their subjects towards ancient Rome had instigated war with the aid of King Phraates V of Parthia.

This lead Tigranes IV and Erato, acknowledging Roman suzerainty;[11] sending their good wishes and submission to Rome.

[8] Sometime about 1 AD Tigranes IV was killed in battle,[15] perhaps ending an internal Armenian revolt[16] of those who were infuriated by the royal couple becoming allies to Rome.

Ariobarzanes through his father was a distant relative of the Artaxiad dynasty as he was a descendant of an Artaxiad princess whose name is unknown who was a sister of King Artavasdes II of Armenia who married Ariobarzanes' paternal ancestor Mithridates, a previous ruling king of Media Atropatene.