Pyrrhichios

[2] Plato (Leges, 815a) describes it as imitating by quick movements the ways in which blows and darts are to be avoided and also the modes in which an enemy is to be attacked.

It was danced to the sound of the aulos; its time was quick and light, as is also shown by the metric foot called pyrrhic.

In that work he writes that the dance was performed at a banquet held in Kotyora during which Greek and Paphalagonian forces settled their differences.

At this Mysus, perceiving their astonishment, prevailed on one of the Arcadians, who had a woman dancer, to let him bring her in; which he did accordingly, after he had dressed her in the handsomest manner he was able, and given her a light buckler.

[4]According to a tradition reported by Aristotle, the originator of the pyrriche was Achilles, who danced it around the funeral pyre of Patroclus.