Arou Rumata is a fictional character from the science fiction novel "Hard to Be a God" by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. He is an observer from a more advanced civilization sent to a planet resembling Earth during its medieval period. His mission is to study the society without interfering, but he struggles with the moral implications of inaction. Throughout the story, Arou Rumata grapples with the brutality and ignorance of the planet's inhabitants. His experiences highlight themes of power, ethics, and the responsibilities of those with knowledge, making him a complex figure in the narrative.