This book presents a course text for dance teachers and students, as well as a reference for dance professionals. It uses an investigative approach to the history of dance and the wider appreciation of dance as an art form. A chronological study from origins to the present, History of Dance examines dancers and dance performance within a historical, social and cultural context. The major dances from each period are presented, including types of movement, number of people, formations, dance structure and type, dance accompaniment, costume and performance space. It includes relevant historical information for supplementing ballet, modern and social dance classes. Its chapters include web resources, photographs and paintings to give readers further options for researching dance in each historical period.