What is hippocleides?

Hippocleides was an Athenian nobleman who lived during the 6th century BCE. He was known for his talent in dancing and was considered one of the best dancers in Athens. However, he was also known for his arrogance and foolish behavior.

During a banquet held by the aristocrat Cleisthenes in honor of his daughter's wedding, Hippocleides got drunk and performed a dance that involved standing on his head and wiggling his legs in the air. When Cleisthenes warned him that he was making a fool of himself, Hippocleides famously replied, "Hippocleides doesn't care!"

This incident became known as the "Dance of the Limbs" and became a famous example of unruly behavior among the Athenian upper class. Hippocleides remained a popular figure in Athenian literature and was often used as a symbol of excessive pride and stupidity.