Alonso de Ercilla (Book order)

Alonso de Ercilla Book order

Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga, known simply as Alonso de Ercilla, was a Spanish nobleman, soldier, and epic poet. While stationed in Chile, he commenced his monumental work, the epic poem La Araucana. This heroic narrative is regarded as one of the foremost Spanish historical poems. In his extensive work, Ercilla chronicles the valiant insurrection of the Araucanian (Mapuche) people, while also documenting the history of Chile and contemporary Spain.

The Araucana

A New Translation with Annotations and Introduction

560 pages
20 hours of reading

The narrative weaves a complex account of Alonso de Ercilla's experiences during Spain's colonization of the Americas, particularly his time in Chile amidst the Araucan rebellion. Ercilla's dual perspective highlights both admiration for the indigenous Mapuche and deep concerns about their treatment by the Spanish. Richly crafted in the style of classical epic poetry, the work serves as a foundational text for Chilean nationalism while simultaneously reflecting Spain's imperial aspirations. Ercilla's engaging prose and empathetic voice make the account both compelling and poignant.