Home /
English Books, Non Fiction,
El Cid: The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenary By Nora Berend
Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman's March and the Story of America's Largest Emancipation By Bennett Parten 45.00 SR – 53.00 SR
Detransition: The Path Back to Self: Unheard Voices, Hard Truths, and the Journey of Those Who Changed Their Minds About Gender By Ester Emerson 45.00 SR – 53.00 SR
El Cid: The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenary By Nora Berend
Click to enlarge
-55%

Many in stock

El Cid: The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenary By Nora Berend

Vendor: Readifyy-Official
100.00 SR 45.00 SR
Material:
Real Time 11 Visitor Right Now
Spend $150 to get Free Shipping

Categories: English Books, Non Fiction,

The life and afterlife of a medieval hero and an exploration of heroism, myth-making and national identity through the centuries.

Rodrigo Diaz lived a violently colourful life in eleventh-century Spain. An ambitious military leader, exile and brutal mercenary, he served Christian kings, fought against Christian princes in service of Muslim rulers, raided and killed Muslims and eventually struck out on his own, carving out an independent principality.

While Rodrigo the man is long dead, El Cid lives on: a superhero; a quasi-saint; the 'spirit of Spain', according to military dictator Franco; and a champion of medieval Spanish multiculturalism.

Nora Berend uncovers how el Cid has been transformed across the centuries, confronting the gulf between truth and legend and examining how a military adventurer became a hero to people on opposite ends of the political spectrum.

What is it about this man that appeals to us? And why do we transform the most unsuitable people into heroes?