Dances in Ancient Cultures: A Comparative Study between Greek and Mayan Dance

Yeonju Suh

doi:10.18535/sshj.v9i09.2018

Abstract

Two distant cultures, ancient Greece and the Maya, both practiced ritualized dances in honor of their gods. The functions and motivations behind these dances, however, reflected two contrasting societal roles of the dance. This essay explores the sociological and religious contexts of each culture, and how dances are representative of each culture's societal needs.

Keywords

Child Headed HouseholdsPrimary Health CareCoping MechanismVulnerability

References

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[refR-2] Dorie, Reents-Budet. “The ‘Holmul Dancer’ Theme in Maya Art.” Essay. In Sixth Palenque Round Table, 1986, edited by Virginia M. Fields, 217–355. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1991.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Euripides. Bacchae and Other Plays. Edited by Edith Hall. Translated by James Morwood. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Leah, Jacob. “Mayan Calendar.” EBSCO Information Services, Inc. | www.ebsco.com, 2023. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/mayan-calendar.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Lillian B, Lawler. “The Maenads: A Contribution to the Study of the Dance in Ancient Greece.” Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome 6 (January 1, 1927): 69–112.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Looper, Matthew G. To be like gods: Dance in ancient Maya civilization. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2021.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Mark, Edwards W. “Representation of Maenads on Archaic Red-Figure Vases.” The Journal of Hellenic Studies 80 (November 1960): 78–87. https://doi.org/10.2307/628377.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Martin, Simon. Ancient Maya Politics: A political anthropology of the Classic period 150-900 CE. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Mary R., Lefkowitz, and Fant, Maureen B. Women’s Life in Greece and Rome: A Source Book in Translation. 4th ed. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2020.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Nikolai, Grube. “Classic Maya Dance.” Ancient Mesoamerica 3, no. 2 (September 1992): 201–18.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] https://doi.org/10.1017/s095653610000064x.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Simon, Goldhill. Reading Greek tragedy. 2nd ed. Cambridge ; New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2023.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Traci, Ardren. Everyday life in the classic Maya world. Cambridge University Press, 2023.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] “Dionysos and the Symposium.” Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.mfa.org/gallery/dionysos-and-the-symposium.Google Scholar ↗