From the earliest days of civilization, dance has been a part of human expression throughout the world, serving diverse cultural functions. Among these functions were worship, celebration of special events, ceremonies, entertainment, physical fitness, and military training. Dance was a regular part of religious practices in most major religions, and was common in Christianity until the thirteenth century. It was considered an adjunct to praising with music, whether vocal or instrumental. Social events and the secular celebrations that were often linked to religious festivals were also enlivened by dancing, as were formal ceremonies, such as royal visits and coronations. But this physical manifestation of joy and praise was not limited to special occasions. Dance was a part of everyday life as well. There are numerous accounts of afterdinner dancing and the use of dance for creating the healthy body that Plato, among others, considered a necessary component of citizens in a democracy. This linked dance to military training, most of which was done on foot and required not only physical stamina, but agility and fast footwork.

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