A.place of burning, hearth, “θυμέλαι οἴκων” E.Rh. 234 (lyr.), cf. A.Supp.669 (lyr.); “Κυκλώπων θυμέλαι” E.IA152 (anap.); but usu. of sacrificial hearths or altars, δεξίπυροι θεῶν θ. Id.Supp.64 (lyr.); ἁ Φοίβου θ. Id.Ion114 (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, IG11(2).161A95 (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.EM743.37, 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, AP7.21 (Simm.); cf. sq.
c. the stage, Phryn.PSp.74 B., EM653.8, 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.
III. of the θόλος at Epidaurus (containing a hearth or altar), ib.4.1485B162.
IV. = θυλήματα, Pherecr.214.
