Blackwell Reference Online

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Lautaro was a Mapuche leader who fought against the Spaniards between 1553 and 1557. According to the most accepted historical tradition, Lautaro was born in the Araucania, between the Caram-pangue and Tirúa rivers around the year 1535. In approximately IS SO he was imprisoned by the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia, who sentenced him to serving in the stables. While with the Spanish, Lautaro learned a great deal about his captors' cultural and military habits. He studied their use of the horse, their use of weapons, their strategies, and their methods of combat. Later, towards the end of 1553, Lautaro fled from the Spaniards to return to the Araucanía and take part in the great revolt his people were preparing against the invaders. As a result of his natural ability and the military knowledge he acquired during his captivity, Lautaro quickly rose to be the leader of the rebellion. Lautaro's military career began with a great victory. On December 25, 1553, in the Battle of Tucapel, he defeated and killed Pedro de Valdivia, the founder of Santiago, together with 60 Spanish soldiers who were accompanying him. In February 1554 he defeated Francisco de Villagra, successor to Valdivia, in the Battle of Marigilenu. This victory allowed him to devastate the city of Concepción. Lautaro's victories continued. In 1555 he defeated and drove back the Spanish regiment that tried to repopulate ... log in or subscribe to read full text