Alonso de Ercilla published 1 poetry collection, beginning with La Araucana (1569).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Alonso de Ercilla
Start here
La Araucana
Alonso de Ercilla's most-read book.
Poetry in order
La Araucana (1569)
About Alonso de Ercilla
Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga was a Spanish soldier and poet, born in Madrid. While in Chile (1556–63) he fought against the Araucanians (Mapuche), and there he began the epic poem La Araucana, considered one of the greatest epics of the Spanish Golden Age. This heroic work in 37 cantos is divided into three parts, published in 1569, 1578, and 1589. It celebrates both the violence of the conquistadors and the courage of the Araucanians.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Alonso de Ercilla FAQ
- How many books has Alonso de Ercilla written?
- Alonso de Ercilla published 1 poetry collection that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Alonso de Ercilla's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with La Araucana.
- What is Alonso de Ercilla's last book?
- La Araucana (1569).
- What is Alonso de Ercilla's most famous book?
- La Araucana (1569) is Alonso de Ercilla's most widely read book.
Authors like Alonso de Ercilla
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.