El Cid (Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar)
~1043–1099 · Spanish (Vivar, Castile) · Medieval Spain, Reconquista
Known for: Spain's greatest medieval warrior who conquered Valencia from the Moors—the original Spanish national hero
Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar—El Cid ('The Lord')—was a Castilian knight who fought for both Christian and Muslim rulers, captured the city of Valencia, and became the most legendary warrior of the Spanish Reconquista. He never lost a battle.
His legend grew enormously after his death—the epic poem Cantar de Mio Cid is Spain's national epic. Legend says his embalmed body was strapped to his horse to lead a charge after his death.
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