Dance: sacred and profane

Biggs, Emily Laura Bilverstone (2023). Dance: sacred and profane. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This work examines the place of dance in Roman society. It looks to cover the breadth of society in the Imperial age, including dance within the religious life of Rome and the Romans as well as dance performed as entertainment. In it, I argue that dance was integral to Roman life, and challenge the notion that Roman society had a negative or ambivalent attitude towards it.

This thesis concentrates on attitudes to dance. It provides an overview of dance in the ancient world, important for context, before examining dance in the Imperial age. The nature of the evidence means that the focus is particularly on Rome itself. Within this examination, the thesis first analyses dance in the religious sphere, establishing that dance is found across the breadth of religious practices, not just within the practices of particular priesthoods. It then moves on to look at dance which was performed as entertainment as found in both public and private arenas. Although each elicits reactions in the literature, these entertainments form a key part of Imperial life, accessible to all whatever their social status. Finally, the thesis examines Christian attitudes to dance, comparing and contrasting these to those of the pagan.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):