Roman historian Tacitus notes about Artashat the following:
               
             Tacitus, Annales, Book II, Chapter 56 (Translation: Michael Gfoeller)

   "These things were known to Germanicus, but he considered  it  more  urgent  to turn his attention toward the Armenians. This nation has from ancient times been in an ambiguous position, due to the talents of its people and the location of its territory, sharings it does a long frontier with our provinces all the way to the territory of the Medes; the Armenians lie between two great empires and are often divided amongst themselves, feeling hatred toward the Romans and envy toward the Parthians.  At that time they had no king, Vono having been removed, but the favor of the nation inclined toward Zeno, the son of King Polemon of Pontus, because from earliest childhood he had emulated the customs and culture of the Armenians, such as hunting and banqueting and the other things the barbarians celebrate. Thus he had gained the support of both nobles and common people. Therefore Germanicus placed the royal insignia upon his head in the city of Artaxata, with the approval of the nobles and in the presence of the multitude. The others who had come to venerate him saluted him as King Artaxia, having named him after the city."