(1554-1646) Sachem of the [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Notes to Fill/Powhatan Indians|Powhatan Confederacy]] from the death of his brother in 1618 until his own death. Opechancanough captured [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Captain John Smith]] in 1608 and brought him to his brother, who spared the Englishman (the chief's daughter [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Notes to Fill/Pocahontas]] may have played a part in a ritual to decide whether to kill or adopt a captive). Opechancanough was apparently never reconciled to the encroachments of the [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Jamestown]] settlers and led two wars against them. Both the [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Second Anglo-Powhatan War]] (1622) and the [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Third Anglo-Powhatan War]] (1644) began with surprise attacks that killed hundreds of English, including possibly Pocahontas' former husband, [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/John Rolfe]]. In 1646, Opechancanough was captured by the English and paraded through Jamestown as a prisoner, although he was over 90 years old. He was then shot in the back by an Englishman who had been assigned to guard him.