Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar

A hero never gives up. They are always loyal to their country or nation. A hero would always care for people other than themselves. They are brave to do their duty. If someone makes a mistake or bad decision, they forgive them. And they are sometimes a war hero. A hero should have these characteristics.

A person who followed these characteristics is, Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar. He had many nicknames such as El Cid, or El Campeador. In 1043, he was born in Castile, Spain. He died in 1099. Then when he was just 17, he was knighted. At the age of just 22, he became the commander of the royal army of Castile. When King Alfonso became king, he thought that The Cid was too powerful and might turn on him. So King Alfonso sent the Cid into exile. While in exile, Rodrigo met the Moors. They said that Rodrigo could lead their people if he defeated their enemy, Count Berenger. El Cid defeated him and became king of the moors. After he defeated Count Berenger, Count Berenger went to his ally, Yusuf. Then Rodrigo’s next enemy was, Yusuf. Since Rodrigo had just conquered Valencia, Yusuf wanted to take it over. But, Yusuf was in Africa. So Yusuf sent ships to destroy Valencia. Rodrigo had to stop him. After Yusuf’s transports landed, The Cid’s mighty army destroyed them. But while his army was destroying Yusuf’s men, Rodrigo was hit by a stray arrow and died.

During his life, Rodrigo persevered. When Rodrigo was sent into exile, he didn’t just sit there like a baby and cry. He went on. If he lost a battle, he went back to win a war. Rodrigo also was very trustworthy. Of all of the armies he lead, he NEVER turned on them. He was also very intelligent. He outmaneuvered many armies. And if he had a smaller army, he was more strategic than his enemy. And the Cid was very forgiving. After he was exiled, he didn’t turn on King Alfonso. He made an alliance with him. But he was most of all a war hero. He destroyed many evil armies. He was a great hero.