Dance in Antiquity: An Outline of a General Theory

This article proposes a reconstruction of ancient Greek dance theory based on Ammonius’ speech at the end of Plutarch’s Table-Talk. It is argued that despite the centrality of dance in Greek culture, no systematic theory has been identified by modern scholars. After a semantic analysis of key terms such as ῥυθμός, σχῆμα, and ὑπόκρισις and close readings of ancient evidence (Aristotle, Poetics, 1447a; Aristides Quintilianus, De Musica, II, 4; Lucian, On the Dance, 83–84), the paper focuses on the discussion of dance in Plutarch’s Table-Talk (747a–748b) which is interpreted as a coherent theoretical framework of dance. Dance is defined through three constitutive elements: φορά (abstract movement), σχῆμα (mimetic configuration), and δεῖξις (indicative gesture) which represent three distinct manners to conceive of dance movements and offer three different possible modes of creating meaning in dance (ἐμφατικόν, μιμητικόν, and δεικτικόν). In the conclusion, a possible fourth element (μεταφορά) and manner of creating meaning (μεταφορικόν) is discussed. Far from being fragmentary or underdeveloped, ancient Greek dance theory emerges as a structured system of thought that remains relevant for understanding how movement can signify today.