θυμέλη

A. place of burning, hearth, θυμέλαι οἴκων E. Rh. 234 (lyr.), cf. A. Supp. 669 (lyr.); Κυκλώπων θυμέλαι E. IA 152 (anap.); but usu. of sacrificial hearths or altars, δεξίπυροι θεῶν θ. Id. Supp. 64 (lyr.); ἁ Φοίβου θ. Id. Ion 114 (lyr.), cf. 46, al.; Ἑστία, δίδου . . ἀμφὶ σὰν θ. χορεύειν Aristonous 2.17; also of braziers, θυμέλαι ἐπίτναντο χρυσήλατοι E. El. 713 (lyr.); ἡ θ. τοῦ βωμοῦ the surface on which fire was kindled, IG 11(2).161 A 95 (Delos, iii B.C.).

II. esp. of the altar of Dionysus which stood in the orchestra of the theatre, Διονυσιὰς θ. Pratin.Lyr.1.2, cf.EM 743.37, etc.: hence in later writers,

b. the orchestra, Phryn. 142, Sch.AristId. p.536 D.: hence of the chorus, opp. actors, θυμέλῃσι καὶ ἐν σκηνῇσι τεθηλώς, of Sophocles, AP 7.21 (Simm.); cf. sq.

c. the stage, Phryn. PS p.74 B. EM 653.8, etc. (hence generally, platform, stage, Plu. Alex. 67); so ὁ ἀπὸ τῆς θ., of a dramatic poet, Id. Demetr. 12, etc.; ὥσπερ ἐκ θ., i.e. theatrical, Id. 2.405d; actuarii thymelae equorumque currulium, Cod.Theod. 8.7.21.

d. αἱ ἐτήσιοι θ. annual stage-performances, Alciphr. 2.3, cf. POxy. 1143.3 (i A.D.), IG 14.2342.

III. of the θόλος at Epidaurus (containing a hearth or altar), ib.4.1485.

IV. = θυλήματα, Pherecr. 214.