Rope-dancing explained
Rope-dancing is the general art and act of performing on or with a rope.
There are a variety of forms and techniques which have been used throughout history. These include:
- Chinese jump rope – in which a circular rope is used to make patterns in a technique which resembles hopscotch and the cat's cradle
- Rope-sliding – in which the performer slides down a tight rope or cable somewhat like a modern zip line
- Skipping – in which the performer repeatedly jumps over a swinging rope
- Slackwire – in which the rope or wire is slack and so a swinging technique is needed
- Tightrope walking – in which the rope or wire is tight and a balancing technique is used
History
Rope-dancers were famous among ancient Greeks and Romans. The Greeks called a rope-dancer/rope-walker as schoenobates (σχοινοβάτης) and kalobates (καλοβάτης) and the Romans, funambulus. In Herculaneum there are a series of paintings representing rope-dancing. Germanicus and the emperor Galba even attempted to exhibit elephants walking on the rope.[1] [2]
In 165 BC, the first production of Terence's play Hecyra failed due to the rival attraction of rope-dancing, as recounted by the prologue.
See also
Notes and References
- https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0062:id=funambulus-harpers Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), Funambulus
- https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Funambulus.html A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875, Funambulus
