amalia1985

Yeeees, particularly for the handsome Pau...

Nikd

I like him too as an athlete and sportsman. But to be in topic Rodrigo was sure a greeat hero and general that won battles under the most difficult conditions but Saladin made the unification of all muslim states in his time reality, and won against the greatest general that west had in this time (Richard the Lionheart).
If i remember correct since then NEVER eastern army won Europeans (except Turks).
This is a fact that says many things to me.

amalia1985

Yes, I agree. I have read many books and many essays concerning Saladin, and I admire his military and political skills.

sixtvs

Well, different times zones. . . . but do note that Saladin was born in Tikrit, Iraq, same birthplace as Saddam Hussein. Ouch!

DesertPilot

Comparing a few figures, we obtain the following. Note that it was hard to find reliable specifications for El Cid, so I based these estimates on averages for pre-industrial Spain:

El Cid
Weight: 75 kg
Length: 0.2 m
Width: 0.6 m
Height: 1.6 m
Crew: 1
Armour: up to 1.4 mm
Primary armament: 1m steel sword
Secondary armament: dagger
Engine: trained muscles 0.25 hp (0.18 kw)
Power/weight: 3.33 hp/tonne
Suspension: 2 feet
Operational range: 30-60 km
Speed: 6-12 km/h

Saladin
Weight: 11.6 t
Length: 4.93 m
Width: 2.54 m
Height: 2.39 m
Crew: 3
Armour: up to 32 mm
Primary armament: 76 mm gun
Secondary armament: 2 x machine gun
Engine: Rolls-Royce B80 Mk.6A, 8 cyl petrol 170 hp (127 kW)
Power/weight: 15.5 hp/tonne
Suspension: 6x6 wheel
Operational range: 400 km
Speed: 72 km/h

I think I'd have to give the edge here to Saladin, except in muddy terrain or dense vegetation, where El Cid could use its lighter weight and superior off-road mobility to the advantage.

Wobomagonda

LOL. now that was funny.

Belisarius

Oh dear, another thread I've not followed up.

DIVUS IVLIVS

In a personal fight let us not forget that El Cid has his famous pet lion to eat Saladin for him.

In a battle I have to go with Saladin. More of a proven record as a strategist and tactician.

FONZEE

El Cid was a Warrior General who experienced the Royal Courts of both christian and islamic cultures. Both served in his army and as administrators. he was an outstanding battlefield commander who communicated on many levels and allied himself with the islamic moorish war machine.He knew how how to deal with them,in every way, shape, & form. His magnetism of loyalty from his army prove to be heroic.

Saladin on the other hand was a powerhouse Sultan King,an extraordinary
gifted mastermind that unified islamic forces of his lifetime...and proved to be arguably unstoppable...

Be that as it may,El Cid & his army of Christian & loyal allied islamic forces, as it were, in all actuality; would give Saladin a run for his money!!!

Nick

Hey, the Fonz is right. Saladin was a better tactician and leader.