JANUARY 20, 1558

MAPUCHES UNDER CAUPOLICAN SIEGE CAÑETE

The Mapuches resisted the Spanish conquistadors of southern Chile. In the late 1550s, the resistance led to the Aracua War. After the Battle of Millarapue, the victorious Spanish established the Cañete fort. Over 15,000 Mapuche led by Caupolican surrounded the fort. A native worker posing as a deserter gained the trust of the Mapuche advising them of when to attack. The trap killed several Mapuche and caused the remainder to retreat through the hills. In the Battle of Antihuala on February 5^th Caupolican was captured and condemned him to die by impalement. Legend has it that he kicked his executioner off the platform and leaped onto the spike himself. Caupolican’s oldest son became the new Mapuche military leader, leading the Battle of Quiapo that November.

Source: Wikipedia

Sketch: José Toribio Medina, 1910.  Public Domain.