Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, 1043 - 1099, called El Cid
Early on, El Cid became a literary figure. From 1140, the Canto del mio Cid is known, which celebrates El Cid as the ideal figure of Spanish chivalry. It generously overlooks the fact that the Cid was also in the service of the Moors, as he is portrayed as the defender of Christianity and the victor over the Moors. This epic is one of the great works of Spanish medieval literature.
In 1636, the tragicomedy Le Cid by Pierre Corneille was published, which triggered a literary feud (Querelle du Cid).
The figure of the Cid has occupied authors and composers (Massenet's opera in 1885) until recent times.
Also famous is a feature film called El Cid starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren by Anthony Mann from 1961, with music composed by Hollywood veteran Miklos Rozsa, who specialized in monumental films. You can hear an excerpt with the player
Legends surround the figure of El Cid, such as that of the treacherous treasure chest.
Here you can learn more about the historical El Cid.
