Olive Oil History

The olive tree from ancient times until today is a cultural symbol but also a key element of nutrition especially in the Mediterranean basin.

The White Dove carrying in its beak an olive branch, from the time of Noah, is a symbol of hope and renewal of Life,

The olive tree gift of Athena, Goddess of wisdom, considered by citizens of the newly founded city of Cecrops that was most precious to life than the gift of thalassocrats Neptune, is the symbol of fertility and protection.

Sophocles in his work “Oedipus at Colonus” confirms that the olive tree is a tree that was given birth by the Athenian land and was under the protection of the gods and sacred symbol of protection.

The Athenians honored olive tree. On coins, many times, they depicted Athena wearing olive wreath over her helmet, symbol of protection.

In Greek tradition, the olive tree is the tree of peace. The very Peace (deity who was the daughter of Zeus and Thetis) was pictured with an olive branch in her hands.

A fresco of Knossos from the 16th century BC, depicts a magnificent olive grove.

The olive tree for the ancient Greeks was a symbol of the Olympic ideals of Peace, Wisdom and Victory. That is why the only prize that the Olympic Champions used to take was a wreath made from an olive branch, the “kotinos”.

Aristotle (384-322 BC), in his book The Athenian Constitution states that the olive tree was protected by law by the State.

Homer in the Iliad states that in Ionia there was systematic cultivation of olive tree.

Homer in the Iliad tells us that Odysseus and Diomedes washed away with hot water and then rubbed their bodies with olive oil.

The Linear B signs in the Palaces of Knossos and Mycenae, testify to the economic value of olive tree for the inhabitants of the 14th and 13th centuries BC.

The olive pits found inside pots in the excavations of Archanon and Knossos, dated from 1450 BC. The olives, found in Zakros, and the pips that existed in many tombs of Messara, are of the same era.

In the Temple of Hera in ancient Olympia, there was an olive tree, “kallistefanos elaia”, from the branches of which the kotinos was being made.

The olive tree for the ancient Greeks was a symbol of the Olympic ideals of Peace, Wisdom and Victory. That is why the only prize that the Olympic Champions used to take was a wreath made from an olive branch, the “kotinos”.

Aristotle (384-322 BC), in his book The Athenian Constitution states that the olive tree was protected by law by the State.

Homer in the Iliad states that in Ionia there was systematic cultivation of olive tree.

Homer in the Iliad tells us that Odysseus and Diomedes washed away with hot water and then rubbed their bodies with olive oil.

The Linear B signs in the Palaces of Knossos and Mycenae, testify to the economic value of olive tree for the inhabitants of the 14th and 13th centuries BC.

We also find the olive tree as an illustration in ancient artifacts and as fossil life.

Panathenaic amphorae that were given prize to winners of the Panathenaic Games.

They were filled with olive oil from the sacred olive trees of Athena at the Academy, the “Moria Elaia” olive trees, being called so because they were thought to be propagated by layering detached from the primary olive tree of the Acropolis.

On the main façade, where the inscription of ATHINITHEN FEATS exists, it depicted Athena Promahos fully armed, who has at both sides a column and by the end of the 5th century BC a rooster stood onto the columns, which symbolized the fighting spirit. On the reverse side it shows the sport in which the athlete excelled and took the jar with oil as a prize.