c. 1640

Southeastern Massachusetts

August 12, 1676

Mount Hope

Native American leader

Portrait: Metacom (King Philip). Reproduced by permission of Archive Photos, Inc.

Metacom (also known as King Philip) was the chief of the Wampanoag tribe. He headed the Native American resistance to colonial power in southern New England during the seventeenth century. Colonists celebrated his death, an event that marked their victory in the conflict named for him, King Philip's War (1675–76), and assured English dominance in the region. Critics of the Puritans (people who believe in a branch of Christianity that stressed strict moral and religious codes), however, portrayed Metacom as a hero and condemned those who pushed him to war. These differing opinions reflect the changing alliances and power structures that existed before King Philip's War.

Remains Wary of Colonists

Metacom was born around 1640 in present-day southeastern Massachusetts. As he was growing up he was...