ἡ θυμελικὴ σύνοδος -> the company of the altar, theatrical company

[spiros]

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ἡ θυμελικὴ σύνοδος -> lit. "the company of the altar," referring to the altar (thymelē) of Dionysus set up in the middle of the theater-floor in the Theater of Dionysus.

«ἡ θυμελικὴ σύνοδος» — ο όμιλος του χορού ή τών μουσικών του αρχαίου θεάτρου.

[billberg23]

From the fourth century B.C. onward for at least eight centuries these 'Artists of Dionysus' were members of  powerful guilds which bore that title [θυμελικὴ σύνοδος] together with the name of the city in which their headquarters were situated. These guilds made contracts with cities in their territories for furnishing theatrical exhibitions of every description and their members in many cases enjoyed freedom from military service and similar privileges, as well as the exemption from taxation. — Note 2, p. 356 of (Loeb) Diodorus Siculus (vol. II, Oldfather)