1. Dance has played an important role in societies and religions throughout history, being used for celebrations, rituals, and religious ceremonies. 2. In ancient Greece and Crete, dances were performed for harvest festivals and to honor gods, with dances like the Geranos imitating cranes and snakes. 3. In the Middle Ages, dancing became more of a social activity and was done at events like weddings and holidays, though some religious dances also continued.