In the splendid medieval era, when the Iberian Peninsula was imbued with stories of knights and heroes, one figure stood out with his own brilliance. His name was Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, but for posterity, he would be forever known as El Cid Campeador.
The story takes us to a time when the coexistence of cultures and diplomacy were essential for the survival of kingdoms. In this context, King Almotamid of Seville and Don Alfonso VI of Castile maintained a precarious but necessary alliance. Each year, Seville paid tribute in the form of "parias" to Castile in exchange for protection and peace on its borders. Ten quintals of coined silver, ten mules, and ten horses were sent as part of this agreement.
On the other end of this story was Rodrigo Díaz, a young knight of just eighteen years, whose courage and sense of honor had made him a legend. His most famous feat was a fatal duel with Count Lozano, who dared to offend his elderly father. This act of bravery earned him fame and the love of Jimena Lozano, the count's daughter, who chose him as her husband. Thus, Rodrigo became one of Castile's most distinguished champions.
Fate had a surprising twist in store for Rodrigo. In the year 1082, King Alfonso VI sent him to Seville to collect the annual "parias." Rodrigo, accompanied by a hundred brave knights, was received with honors at Almotamid's court and stayed in the splendid summer Alcazar.
While Rodrigo enjoyed Seville's hospitality, news of a Muslim invasion reached the city. King Almotamid asked Rodrigo for help, and he did not hesitate to fulfill his duty. He marched with his hundred knights to face the invading army.
In a skillful war maneuver known as the "tornada castellana," Rodrigo defeated the enemy, capturing the counts of Barcelona, Aragon, and Navarre. He kept his promise and tore off the beard of the Count of Barcelona as a trophy.
However, he faced an ethical and political dilemma. What to do with the Christian prisoners? Despite his victory, Rodrigo released the Christian counts with the promise not to fight against Castile or its allies. This decision demonstrated his profound sense of chivalrous morality.
Rodrigo's triumphant return to Seville was acclaimed by the people, who baptized him "Sidi Rodrigo" in Arabic and "Campi doctor" in Latin, paying tribute to his wisdom in pitched battles. From that day forth, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar became El Cid Campeador, a living legend that endures in the annals of history.
The feat of El Cid Campeador in Seville is just one of the many exploits that forged his legend. His life is filled with adventures, bravery, and honor, making him an icon of the Middle Ages and an endless source of inspiration for generations to come. His story serves as a reminder that honor and valor can overcome all obstacles and that, sometimes, an eighteen-year-old can change the course of history.
In Seville, you can find a statue of El Cid Campeador on his horse "Babieca" on Avenida del Cid, in front of the Rectorate, very close to Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España, with the following inscription: "EL CAMPEADOR, A TERRIBLE CALAMITY FOR ISLAM, WAS, THROUGH THE MANLY FIRMNESS OF HIS CHARACTER AND HIS HEROIC ENERGY, ONE OF THE MIRACLES OF THE CREATOR" Ibn Bassam, a 12th-century Muslim writer and historian.
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