Arcesilaus II of Cyrene, surnamed the Oppressor, the Severe or the Harsh (Greek: Ἀρκεσίλαος ὁ Χαλεπός, flourished 6th century BC), was the fourth Greek king of Cyrenaica and was a member of the Battiad dynasty.

Plutarch states Arcesilaus had another paternal cousin called Polyarchus, who was Eryxo’s eldest brother.

Learchus and his supporters left Cyrene and created their own settlement called Barca, (sometimes known as Meri, Libya).

During the construction of Barca, Learchus was able to persuade local Libyans to withdraw their allegiance from Cyrene and encourage them to come with him and to declare war on Arcesilaus.

Learchus and the local Libyans were alarmed of the Cyrenaean troops approaching them and they hastily withdrew.