King Louis XIV

King Louis XIV of France was extremely influential in the creation of ballet. He was actually named "The Sun King" because of his outstanding dance performance as Apollo! King Louis XIV took a man named Giovanni Baptista Lulli under his wing, and we are very thankful that he did. Later named Jean Baptiste Lully for his work in France, Giovanni assisted King Louis XIV in creating "ballet de cour". King Louis XIV also established the very first ballet school in the world, called "Academie Royal de Danse".