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.Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), FunambulusA Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875, Funambulus
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