The legends about his exploits have overshadowed the historical facts about this stalwart knight. So many literary works have been written about him that even his historical existence has been put into doubt for no apparent reason.

The real Cid, not the great hero described in the mythical "El Cantar del mío Cid", was a mercenary soldier who fought Chistians or Arabs, depending on who paid him. He was a warrior without a home. However, this unfavorable vision of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar cannot be fully believed, since it came from Moorish historians of that time.

The Cid described in the epic poem "El Cantar del mío Cid" is completely different. He is generous with his friends, an affectionate father and husband, magnamimous with the defeated, extremely loyal to his country and king; the man whose name and exploits are still admired today. His figure, despite the centuries, is still present in the minds of the Spanish people. It is difficult to find somebody who has never heard about the Cid Campeador, and not many historical figures enjoy this popularity. Undoubtedly, the epic poem about his life, a key work in the Spanish literature, is, to some extent, responsible for it.