Historical Clarifications on Three Myths About the Battle of Arica

Abstract

This article examines the development of three myths associated with the Battle of Arica (7 June 1880), explaining the origins of some while debunking others through the use of primary sources and an analysis of their relationship with, and transformation within, popular historical narratives. The three myths examined are: the alleged command “Today there are no prisoners,” the purported disproportion between the opposing forces in the battle, and the story of Alfonso Ugarte’s leap.