Douka, S.*
Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thermi 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Abstract
War dances had a significant role in ancient Greeks’ life before, during and after the classical period. The aim of the current research is to study the significance of military preparation in ancient Greeks’ life and to make a reference to war dances, especially dance pyrrhichios; the most prominent dance of this category. For the data collection it has been used the historic methodological research, where it has been analyzed and interpreted primary and secondary sources. According to analysis of the collected, in the antiquity, war dances possessed a pedagogical role, whereas they were used as a war preparation medium by weapons usage. Greeks loved war dances, not because they were a bellicose folk, but in the wake of those historical incidents, which obliged them to be constantly and sufficiently prepared for war, they could taste the goods of the Peace. The consequence of this research is that for the ancient Greeks, the best martial education and preparation was accomplished through dance and music, that’s why they ascertained each time that the “best warriors were the best dancers”. Hence, they attempted through poems, songs and dance movements to stimulate warriors’ courage, bravery and jubilant/impulsive mood.
Keywords: dance; military education; pyrrhichios.
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