Prytaneions and the cult of Hestia in Anatolia

Prytaneions, symbolized by the Hestia cult, are one of the leading institutions of the city, which played an important role in ancient urban planning. However, the lack of data available today has caused it to lag behind compared to other studies and we have very little information about it. In this study, it is aimed to cover the structure and its cult in all aspects, especially within the scope of Anatolia. As a result of the investigations carried out on the emergence and development of the structure, it has been understood that its roots date back to the prehistoric periods, it continued until the end of the Roman Imperial Period by showing a dynamic and rich development. When the proven and possible prytaneion samples in Anatolia were examined, some common features for the structure were identified. For example, prytaneions can be defined as a larger-sized designed version of a typical 'house architecture' located within the boundaries of an agora or sanctuary, characterized by a courtyard and two main rooms (Hestiatorion and Hestia Hall). Moreover, the diversity of the building's functions is linked to its religious and political identity and plays an important role in defining it. Hestia, the personalized goddess of the hearth, is the patroness of the prytaneions, both the private family home and the home of the state. What is known about the goddess is limited according to today's data. The cult of Hestia is universal and extends to ancient Anatolia, Greece and Rome.