PYRRHIC DANCE

The war-dance was a soldiers' dance; and this is plainly indicated both by the 'Pyrrhic dance,' and by 'Pyrrhikhos,' [one of the Kouretes] who is said to be the founder of this kind of training for young men, as also by the treatises on military affairs.

There is also a dance of men armed with daggers, which is characterised by violent jumps and thrusts: it is called the Pyrrhic dance, and doubtless owes it origin to the celebrated king of Epirus. On seeing this dance performed, I conceived myself transported to ancient Sparta, and at length I became quite alarmed; for such were the impetuosity and rage of the actors, that I fully expected a bloody scene would terminate their sport.



I shall conclude these observations upon the dances of the Greeks, with noticing one which the Albanians define by the name of the " dance of thieves". It was often performed before the pacha by his soldiers; and as it is characteristic of their profession, I shall describe it. A large hall in the seraglio is illumined with candles of yellow wax; the sepulchral light of which, casts a pale and disagreeable reflection upon the spectators.In this hall the pacha sits gravely at the corner of a sofa, having a poniard and a brace of pistols in his girdle, and a carbine by his side; while his body-guard, dressed in course cloaks, stand about him in a mournful attitude.

The Corypheans, with one arm passed round each other's neck, and one hand in each other's belt, form a circle, and move at regular paces; which increase to the most rapid motion; at which period they make a savage yelling to the sound of barbarous music. It sometimes happens, that to augment the interest of the dance, the actors Introduce the Pyrrhic ceremony just mentioned; after which they pretend to go in search of the thieves, give chace to them, and finally bring them forward in triumph *.


* Xenophon speaks of a dance of thieves, nearly similar to that just described, which the Greeks celebrated on their return from the expedition to Persia, when they arrived on the banks of Pontui Euxinus.