prytaneum

American  

[prit-n-ee-uhm] / ˌprɪt nˈi əm /

noun

1. a public building in ancient Greece, containing the symbolic hearth of the community and commonly resembling a private dwelling in plan, used as a community meeting place and as a lodging for guests of the community.

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prytaneum British  

/ ˌprɪtəˈniːəm /

noun

1. the public hall of a city in ancient Greece

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Etymology

Origin of prytaneum

1590–1600; < Latin prytanēum < Greek prytaneîon, akin to prýtanis prince, ruler, chief

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prytaneum

According to Cicero, a bronze statue of Sappho, made by Silanion, stood in the prytaneum at Syracuse, and was stolen by Verres.

From Greek Women by Carroll, Mitchell

It was after one of these fruitless debates that Democrates passed out of the gathering at the Corinthian prytaneum, with his colleagues all breathing forth their wrath against Dorian stupidity and evasiveness.

From A Victor of Salamis by Davis, William Stearns

The use of a common prytaneum, of circular form, like the Roman temple of Vesta, testified to the common origin of the North American Assinais and Maichas.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 4 "Finland" to "Fleury, Andre" by Various

As Hestia had her home in the prytaneum, special temples dedicated to her are of rare occurrence.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various

A prytaneum in a Greek city was a building belonging to the community, on the altar of which was kept the ever-burning fire.

From Plutarch's Lives, Volume II by Stewart, Aubrey