kordax
dance
Quick Summary
Kordax dance
Kordax dance, Greek vase painting, 5th century bce; in the Museo Nazionale Tarquinise, Italy.
The term "kordax" (also spelled "cordax") refers to a type of dance with distinct historical meanings.
Originally, in ancient Greece, the kordax was a phallic dance performed by nude, horned figures during Dionysian rituals. This lewd and coarse dance was later incorporated into Greek and Latin comedy.1
During the Renaissance, "kordax" also came to describe various lively court dances. The word's etymology traces back to Latin and Greek, related to the verb "to shake" or "brandish".1
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