Cid (El Cid)

El Cid, whose real name was Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, was a Spanish knight and military leader in the 11th century. He became a national hero in Spain for his battles against both Muslim and Christian kingdoms during the Reconquista, when Christian states sought to reclaim territory from Muslim rule. El Cid is often celebrated for his chivalric virtues, strategic prowess, and loyalty. His life inspired the epic poem "El Cantar de mio Cid," which recounts his adventures and legacy as a symbol of Spanish identity and reconciliation between cultures.