Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, known by the epithet “El Cid,” is one of the most famous figures of Spanish history and literature and is considered Spain’s national hero.
Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, known by the epithet “El Cid,” is one of the most famous figures of Spanish history and literature and is considered Spain’s national hero. In addition to the 12th-century epic poem, the Cantar del Mío Cid, there are several 16th-century prose chronicles. In the version displayed here, El Cid is portrayed as a Christian knight on horseback defeating the Moors, similar in composition to the depictions of Saint James the Moorslayer [ Santiago matamoros].