What does hearth mean? besides fireplace. Please Read the following definition of the word "Prytaneion" to better understand my question.
Prytaneion: the public hall in an ancient Greek city that housed the sacred hearth and where official and public guests were entertained.

Question

What does hearth mean? besides fireplace. Please Read the following definition of the word "Prytaneion" to better understand my question.
Prytaneion: the public hall in an ancient Greek city that housed the sacred hearth and where official and public guests were entertained.

anonymous · Answer

It's still a fireplace of sorts! A Prytaneion was a building dedicated to Hestia, goddess of the hearth, and so in addition to an altar, there was also a sacred hearth, presumably kept constantly alight, rather like a santuary lamp in a Catholic chruch today. Rather than being set into a wall like later fireplaces, the sacred hearth was a square or recatangular 'box' structure, either in the centre of a room or set into a corner. it would have been quite low and was simply a durable 'tray' (stone or bronze?) to contain the burning wood or charcoal.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much for your thorough explanation.