A Mapuche toqui who was known for leading the indigenous resistance against Spanish conquest in Chile. In December 1553, Mapuche forces, led by Vice Toqui Lautaro, attacked and destroyed the Tucapel fort using the battle tactics learned from the Spanish and killed chief conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. In 1554, Lautaro succeeded in putting together an army of 8,000 men, just in time to confront a punitive expedition under the command of Francisco de Villagra. He organized his forces in four divisions: two charged with containing and wearing down the enemy, a third held in reserve to launch a fresh attack as the Spanish were about to crumble, and the last charged with cutting off their retreat. After hours of battle, only a small group of Spanish were able to retreat. Lautaro is acclaimed in Chile as its first general, for uniting the dispersed Mapuche people and leading them in battle.