The Poem of the Cid

Students of Spanish literature have long been familiar with this eight-hundred-year-old epic detailing the legendary exploits of the soldier-adventurer Ruy Diacute;az of Bivar, El Cid, and of his part in the long struggle between Christianity and Islam. The epic poem recounts the adventures of the Cid; of his peerless steed, Babieca, and of his two famous swords, Colada and Tizoacute;n; of his wife, Dontilde;a Ximena, and his two daughters, Dontilde;a Elvira and Dontilde;a Sol, who found sanctuary with Abbot Don Sancho in the monastery of San Pedro de Cardentilde;a during the Cid's exile; and of the despicable and black-hearted princes of Carrioacute;n, Diego and Fernando Gonzaacute;lez.