What is Alonso de Ercilla?
[[File:AlonsoDeErcilla.jpg|thumb|right|Alonso de Ercilla]] '''Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga''' (August 7, 1533–November 29, 1594), was a [[Spain|Spanish]] nobleman, soldier and epic [[poet]]. While in [[Chile]] (1556–63) he fought against the [[Mapuche|Araucanian Indians]], and there he began the [[epic poetry|epic poem]] ''[[La Araucana]]'', said to be the greatest Spanish historical poem. This heroic work in 37 cantos is divided into three parts, published in 1569, 1578, and 1589. It tells of the brave uprising of the Araucanians and also tells the history of Chile and of contemporary Spain. {{bio-stub}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ercilla, Alonso De}} [[Category:Spanish writers]] [[Category:1533 births]] [[Category:1594 deaths]]