El Cid was the honorary title of Rodrigo Díaz de Bivar (or Vivar), Spain's national hero and great military leader. During his lifetime, Díaz fought for and against both Christian kings and Muslim rulers in Spain. The MoorsSpanish Muslims descended from the Arab conquerors gave him the name El Cid (from an Arabic word meaning "lord") in recognition of his skills on the battlefield. He gained a reputation for defeating superior opponents against overwhelming odds, inspiring many stories, poems, and legends.

The Life of El Cid Born around 1043, Rodrigo Díaz was the son of a minor Spanish nobleman. He spent his early years in the service of Sancho, a son of King Ferdinand I of Spain. When Ferdinand died, he divided his kingdom among his three sons. But Sancho wanted the whole kingdom and soon attacked his brothers. With El Cid commanding his...