Rope-dancer

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.A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875, Funambulus
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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

* Abseiling
* Indian rope trick

References

Circus skills
Performing arts
Ropes

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