I. Origins: Definitions: Primitive Dance -- II. Ritual Myth and Drama-Dance in Egypt -- III. The Origins of Greek Tragedy: Dance and Theatre -- IV. The Roman Theater: Pantomime and Imperial Spectacle -- V. The Roman Catholic Church: Its Spectacular Elements -- VI. The Mediaeval Dance -- VII. Feudal Pageantry and Dance Disguisings -- VIII. Renaissance Foundations for Court Ballet -- IX. The Ballet Comique and the Ballet de Cour -- X. The English Court Masque and the Academy of Lully -- XI. Rameau and Noverre: Opera-Ballet and Ballet d'Action -- XII. Vigano and Blasis; Choreodrame and Ballet Romantique -- XIII. The Early Twentieth-Century: Duncan and the Russians -- XIV. The Contemporary Classic Dance -- Postscript: Dancing in North America, 1519-1942 -- Appendix : Notes on Illustrations ; Illustrations ; Acknowledgements ; Important Events in Theatrical Dance ; Index.