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"ATHENS"
A MIGHT
CITY,
WITH A MIGHT CROP,
UNDER THE AUSPICE
OF GODDESS ATHENA,
MASTERMINDED BY ZEUS
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THE
MYTH
According to the ancient Greek history, Poseidon, god of the sea and
Athena, goddess of peace and wisdom, disputed over whose name would be
given to the newly built city, in the land of Attica. To end this
dispute, it was decided that the city would be named after the one who
offered the most precious gift to the citizens. Poseidon struck his
trident on a rock and salt water began to flow. Athena struck her
spear on the ground and it turned into an olive tree.
It was decided that the olive tree was more valuable to the people of
Attica, hence the new city was named Athens in honor of Athena. Even
today, an olive tree stands where the legend took place in Pnika just
on the foothills of Acropolis.
According to Homer, the olive tree has been thriving in Greece for
over 10,000 years. For the Ancient Greeks, the olive tree was a symbol
of peace, wisdom and triumph. An olive wreath was made, and used to
crown the Olympic champions.
HISTORICAL
BREAKTHROUGH
Thorough examination of the archeological evidence regarding the
use of the olive tree in Ancient Greece it is
confirmed that it was one of the most used and loved trees due to its
sacredness, the economic value and the many uses of its products in
every day life. Older theories that the olive tree was brought in
Greece from Palestine proved to be wrong.
Newer evidence that came to light from pollen analysis are confirming
its presence in Greece from the Neolithic period. According to
mythology the olive tree was brought in Greece from Goddess Athena
which also taught the Greeks its cultivation.
Indicative for the significance of the olive tree to the Athenians is
the fact that there coins portrayed Goddess Athena with an Olive
wreath on her helmet and an amphorae with olive oil. The Greeks were
the first to be involved in the full-scale cultivation of the olive.
Between the 7th and 3rd centuries BC ancient philosophers, physicians
and historians undertook its botanical classification and referred to
the curative properties of olive oil (Dioscorides, Diocles) and its
history (Anaxagoras, Empedocles – 5th century), while Aristotle
elevated olive cultivation to a science.
It was even protected by the legislation. The first Olive
Protection Law was introduced by Solon (639-559 BC); in one of his
statutes he prohibited the cutting down of more than two trees a year
in each olive grove. The olive and its oil also held a special
position in the Orthodox religion. It was a symbol of love and peace,
an essential part of several solemn rites, from the service of baptism
to the oil lamps used in churches and the little shrine that is part
of every Greek household.
Herodotus described Athens, in the 5th century BC, as the centre of
Greek olive growing. Oil was produced in such abundance that it became
one of the major exports. In fact, so important did the olive culture
become to the Greeks and their economy, that olive groves were
considered sacred ground and only virgins and chaste men were allowed
to cultivate them.
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