- 1. In the late 11th century, the legendary Spanish knight known as El Cid, or Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, orchestrated a remarkable military campaign against the Moorish rulers of Valencia, a city that had become a significant center of Islamic culture and power in the Iberian Peninsula. After years of dealing with political intrigue and exile, El Cid seized the opportunity to reclaim his honor and restore his position by laying siege to Valencia in 1094. Demonstrating exceptional strategic prowess and daring courage, he led a diverse army composed of Christian and Muslim soldiers alike, leveraging his reputation and tactical acumen to rally support. The siege was marked by a series of intense skirmishes and brutal confrontations, during which El Cid's forces employed clever tactics to breach the city's defenses. Ultimately, after a relentless period of fighting, El Cid succeeded in capturing Valencia, earning the allegiance of many of its inhabitants. His triumph not only solidified his legacy as a national hero but also symbolized the complex interplay of cultures during the Reconquista, as he sought to balance his own Christian faith with the realities of coexisting with the Moors, who had ruled the region for centuries.
Which group did El Cid take Valencia from?
A) Vikings
B) Romans
C) Aztecs
D) Moors
- 2. What is the title 'El Cid' roughly translated to in English?
A) The Lord
B) The Champion
C) The Warrior
D) The King
- 3. What was El Cid's real name?
A) Lancelot du Lac
B) Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar
C) Hernán Cortés
D) Christopher Columbus
- 4. Where was El Cid born?
A) Florence, Italy
B) London, England
C) Vivar, Spain
D) Paris, France
- 5. 'El Cid' is often considered a national hero of which country?
A) Germany
B) Greece
C) Spain
D) Russia
- 6. In which century did El Cid live?
A) 14th century
B) 19th century
C) 16th century
D) 11th century
- 7. Which literary work by an author of the Spanish Golden Age features El Cid as a character?
A) La Regenta by Leopoldo Alas
B) Cantar de Mio Cid
C) La Celestina by de Rojas
D) Don Quixote by Cervantes
A) Natural causes
B) During a duel
C) In battle
D) Assassination
- 9. Which city did El Cid capture from the Moors?
A) Seville
B) Granada
C) Valencia
D) Cordoba
- 10. What title was El Cid given by the Christian Kingdom he served?
A) Adelantado
B) Conquistador
C) Marquess
D) Campeador
- 11. El Cid was exiled from his home city of:
A) Toledo
B) Valencia
C) Seville
D) Burgos
- 12. In the battles against the Moors, El Cid was allied with which Christian kingdom?
A) Aragon
B) Castile
C) Leon
D) Navarre
- 13. El Cid's wife was named:
A) Catalina
B) Isabella
C) Jimena
D) Beatriz
- 14. Prior to capturing Valencia, El Cid served the Muslim ruler of:
A) Cordoba
B) Seville
C) Granada
D) Zaragoza
- 15. El Cid's famous horse was named:
A) Babieca
B) Black Beauty
C) Tornado
D) Rocinante
- 16. El Cid died in the year:
A) 1066
B) 1138
C) 1187
D) 1099
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