Prof. Michael Harney: The Epic of The Cid: With Related Texts

Translated and Edited, with an Introduction, by Michael Harney

Indianapolis / Cambridge: Hackett Publishing, 2011

The Epic of the Cid records the deeds of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the Cid of history and legend. A powerful warrior in the Christian reconquest of medieval Spain, a formidable strategist, and a charismatic leader, the Cid deeply impressed his contemporaries, both Christian and Muslim. Already, in his lifetime, songs, stories, and chronicles were devoted to his exploits.

In offering both a readable, colloquial prose translation of the Cantar de Mio Cid and selections from a wide variety of other contemporary accounts, this volume brings the historical figure back to life for modern readers.

Includes an Introduction explaining the historical, military, and literary background necessary for an informed reading of the texts; also included are maps, a compendium of proper names, a bibliography, and an index.

Related texts include the Hispano-Arabic chronicle Treasury of the Excellencies of the Spaniards (early 12^th century);  the Latin texts The History of Rodrigo and The Song of the Campeador (12^th century); the First General Chronicle  and The Chronicle of Twenty Kings  (both late 13^th century); the epic The Youthful Deeds of Rodrigo (late 14^th century); the ballad “The Cid and the Moorish King” (late 15^th century).