El cerco de Numancia facts for kids
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The play El cerco de Numancia (which means The Siege of Numancia) is a famous story written by the Spanish writer and soldier Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. He wrote it around 1585. This play is a type of story called a tragedy. It tells the sad tale of how the ancient city of Numancia was defeated by the powerful Roman Empire. This happened a very long time ago, in the 2nd century BC.
About the Play
El cerco de Numancia is known by a few other names too. Sometimes people call it The Numancia, Comedy of the Siege of Numancia, The Destruction of Numancia, or Tragedy of Numancia.
What is it About?
The play shows the bravery and suffering of the people of Numancia. They fought hard against the Roman army. The Romans surrounded their city, trying to starve them out. The play highlights the spirit of the Numantians. They chose to fight to the very end rather than give up their freedom.
How We Know About It
Only two handwritten copies of this important play have survived over the centuries. One copy is kept safe in the National Library of Spain. This version was likely used by actors in the 1600s.
The other copy is called the Sancho Rayón codex. It is held by the Hispanic Society of America. This copy was made in 1784 by Antonio de Sancha. It uses more modern spelling, making it easier to read today. Experts believe both copies are very close to Cervantes' original writing.
See also
- Numancia (Cervantes) para niños (in Spanish)
