Named in honor of the Chilean Indian Levtraru (1534–1557), modified to Lautaro (Swift Hawk) by the Spanish soldiers during the conquest of Chile. Son of an Indian chief, he was made prisoner by Pedro de Valdivia {see planet
(2741)}, who named him his horseboy. In this activity, Lautaro learned a great deal about Spanish soldiers, their horses and military science, knowledge he used together with his own strategies when, at the age of 18, he became by acclamation big chief of all tribes to defend their land against the Spanish soldiers. After Lautaro’s death his head was brought to Santiago and exhibited for fifteen days at the center of Plaza de Armas. (M 10547) _ _.