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

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

No Greek or Roman army crossed the frontier without carrying an altar where the fire taken from the prytaneum burned night and day.

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

Another peculiarity of Solon's laws was the public dining-table in the prytaneum.

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

These men you should entertain at the prytaneum, not put under indictment.

From The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 10 Prince Otto Von Bismarck, Count Helmuth Von Moltke, Ferdinand Lassalle by Francke, Kuno