ARSAS II (Arsace). - King of Armenia (350-67), he lived in the most critical times when the predominance of Asia Minor was contested between the Persians and the Romans, for whom he took sides. He forced Narses (Ciunak), his chamberlain, to ascend to the patriarchal see. Later he attempted to create national unity by ridding himself of the feudal magnates, often rebellious, but ended by arousing against himself the princes and even the patriarch, whom he had deposed. After the pact of Jovian, A., abandoned by all, had to go to Shapur II, who, despite the oaths sworn, confined him in a castle where he died tragically.
BIBL.: M. Lauer, *Des Faustus von Byzanz Geschichte Allemens*, Cologne 1879; E. Muratean, *Storia critica di A. II*, Alexandria 1900 (in Armenian); Faustus of Byzantium, *Armenian History*, IV, Venice 1933.