Cid

sid, The Poem of the, the national Spanish epic, and the most ancient epic in any of the Romance languages. This poem recounts the achievements of Rodrigo Diaz who lived 1020-1099. He won the name of Cid from the fact that in one battle five Moorish kings acknowledged him their lord and conqueror, or El Seid, an Arabic word meaning lord, of which Cid is the Spanish equivalent. The Spaniards gave Diaz also the title of El Cid Camppeador, or the Lord Champion, a fitting title for him who was the "dauntless champion of the Christian religion and of the old Spanish monarchy against the Moors." He spent his life in wars against his country's oppressors and his country rewarded him by making him immortal in song and story. His memory is still sacred among his fellow countrymen. The Poem of the Cid contains about 3,000 lines. It dates, probably, from the year 1200. It presents most vividly the manners and the spirit of the eleventh century in Spain. It is natural, full of sympathy and charm. The author, authors, or compilers of the poem are unknown. The French Corneille has made the Cid the subject of one of his most successful dramas. See Epic; Corneille