Lautaro (ca. 1535-1557) was an Araucanian Indian chieftain from southern Chile who led a rebellion against the Spanish conquistadores and settlers. He later came to symbolize the Chilean people's love of independence.

Little is known of the origins of Lautaro beyond the fact that he was born in Araucania in southern Chile and was taken prisoner by the Spaniards when he was 15. He became groom to Pedro de Valdivia, the conqueror of Chile. Lautaro (whom the Spaniards called Alonso) carefully observed the Spaniards' tactics and mode of warfare, noting their vulnerable points to such good effect that, when the warlike Araucanians rose against the Spanish in 1553, he was able to escape to the Indians and in spite of his youth win acceptance as their leader.

Lautaro quickly revealed extraordinary gifts of military inventiveness and generalship. He neutralized the Spaniards' employment of cavalry, which had hitherto given them overwhelming...