Pentozalis dance takes its name from its five (pente) basic steps, the zala, as they are locally called. Starts slowly and ends with fast steps. It is a war dance, vigorous and with high jumping movements and allows for much self-improvisation. It has often been suggested that this may be the descendant of a Minoan dance, perhaps that of the Kourites (ancient Crete's warriors). There is a forgotten dance located at the area of Psiloritis (where the Kourites lived) called Empirrikios (from ancient Pirrichios)whose steps are very similar to Pentozalis.