History and Development of

Dance from the Different

Period
Dance During the
Prehistoric Period

It had been a major form

of religious ritual and
social expression within
the primitive culture.

It was used as a way of

expression and
reinforcing tribal unity
and strength.

It is based on superstition
and infused with magic.
Shamans as lead dancers
acted as physicians and
religious leaders and kept
tribes healthy,
prosperous and safe.

Ancient Egypt: 3,300 BCE
(First Dancing). It is believed
that the first people to
dance were the Egyptians.
Archaeologists discovered
paintings of dancing figures
in rock shelters and caves.
As a way of expressing
religious service and
teaching ancient myth, three
(3) major dancers were
evolved: (1) the king; (2) the
priests who performed
magical dances; (3) virgin
dancers who were trained to
perform during ceremonies
led by the priests.
Ancient Crete: The Ancient Greece: Dance was
Cretan civilization not just for religious and
(3000-1400 BC) was a military training but also a
cultural link in the form of entertainment and
ancient world display. Plato immensely
between Egyptians gave importance to dance
and Greeks. Cretans in education as stated in
used dance to perfect the education on the Laws.
He highlighted the two
their military training
which made excellent. kinds of dance and music:
the noble (fin and
honorable) and the ignoble
(imitating what is mean or
ugly).
Ancient Rome: Gave
less importance to
dancing which
eventually became an
integral part of the
corruption in the latter
days of the Roman
Empire resulting in the
condemnation of dance
by early Christians.
Dance was primarily
performed for religious,
social and
entertainment.
However, theatrical
entertainment was
prohibited but still
existed and was
performed within
church during religious
ceremonies.