Authentic wild dances: how the mythical rituals of the Greeks have survived to this day.

Pirrich is an ancient Greek military dance that originated from the mythical Curetes, who performed it to protect the newborn Zeus from his father, Cronus. According to legend, they clashed their shields and made noise during the dance so that Cronus would not discover that Zeus had survived, writes Greek Reporter.

The dance has traversed centuries, evolving from its mythical beginnings to a traditional military dance of the Pontic Greeks, which is still performed today. References to pirrich can be found in Hesiod's epic poem "Theogony," which tells the story of Zeus's birth.

In the poem, Zeus is hidden by his mother, Rhea, to save him from Cronus, who had devoured his other children. To conceal the newborn from his father, Curetes danced around Zeus in a cave on Crete, while the clashing of their armor drowned out his cries.

As one of the oldest known dances in Greek mythology, pirrich became an integral part of Greek military culture. It was later adopted by the Pontic Greeks of Trebizond on the Black Sea, transforming into a vibrant tradition that exists today. Historically, it was also used as a form of military training, honing agility and combat skills.

Historical accounts from Aristotle and Homer describe pirrich as a military dance performed by individuals of various ages and genders. It included dynamic movements such as turns, backflips, jumps, and defensive actions, accompanied by vocal shouts.

Homer mentions that Achilles performed the dance around the funeral pyre of Patroclus. According to legend, Achilles's son, Pyrrhus, later known as Neoptolemus, also performed the dance during the celebration after avenging his father's death at Troy.

Philosophers like Plato regarded pirrich as a divine gift to humanity, distinguishing it into "peaceful" and "warlike" styles. It was even associated with the cult of Dionysus. Historian Strabo noted that Pyrrhus was the first to perform the dance in honor of a victorious battle, while others believe it was initially danced by the Curetes in mourning for Patroclus.

Ancient texts depict dancers armed with shields and spears, mimicking combat movements. In Athens, pirrich was performed during the Panathenaic festival, while in Sparta, it was a crucial aspect of military training. Spartan warriors practiced the dance to enhance their agility and maneuverability in battle, accompanied by the aulos, an ancient wind instrument.

Among the Pontic Greeks, the pirrich dance is known as Serra, named after a local river. It is performed by men dressed in traditional black attire, standing in a line with linked arms and heads held high. The dance begins slowly but gradually increases in tempo and energy.

The Pontic version of the dance is considered the most authentic continuation of the ancient tradition. Despite the changes it has undergone over time, its expressive style continues to captivate audiences, maintaining a connection to its historical and cultural roots.

We also reported on a discovery in the northwest of England. Archaeologists uncovered a Viking hall that turned out to be the largest found in Britain.