The Ancient Olive Tree

Kathy J Ellis
Jun 1
6 min read

Updated: Oct 27

The Myth

In ancient Greek mythology, Zeus, the god of the sky and order, had his daughter Athena compete against Poseidon, the god of the sea, for control of Athens.

It was an important competition. After all, Athens was a powerful city and the center of the arts, learning, and philosophy. It is one of the world's oldest cities and has long been thought of as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. As it grew into this noble post, the people felt they needed a god for all the usual godly duties, mainly protection. Poseidon and Athena were quibbling over who got to control the city. Zeus, since he was the god of order, stepped up and declared Poseidon and Athena would give a gift to the people, and they would decide on the winner.

So, Poseidon smashed his three-pronged trident against the hard rock of the Acropolis and created a spring. Springs are eternal, and the water is a source of life—that is if they're freshwater springs. Poseidon, being the god of the sea, created a saltwater spring—a pretty useless, silly god.

Then Athena thrust her spear into the ground, and an olive tree appeared, rich in fruit and with beautiful silvery-green leaves. The tree would provide food, wood, and oil that could relieve wounds and give strength. She won, of course, and became the goddess of the city. It was a divine gift, and so they named the city Athens; the olive tree became one of Athena's most recognizable symbols. To this day stands "the original" Olive Tree at the Acropolis.

Acropolis

The Origins

Greek myth aside, the olive tree is one of the most ancient trees in the world. Fossil evidence indicates the tree had its origins 20–40 million years ago in the Oligocene, a geologic epoch of the Paleogene Period in what is now Italy and the eastern Mediterranean Basin. Archaeologists have found olive leaf fossils in Greece dating back to the Paleolithic era, also known as the Old Stone Age (approximately 37,000 BC).

Researcher Laurent Marquer et al. discovered that humans in Africa used olives as a fuel source as far back as 100,000 years ago. Researchers believe the tree was first cultivated around 7,000 years ago in the Mediterranean region, and by 3,000 years ago, it was commercially grown in Crete, becoming a source of wealth.

The Sacred Olive Tree

The olive tree was considered sacred and holy in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Throughout history and to this day, the olive branch remains a symbol of peace, prosperity, and glory.

In the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament), the tree is one of the first plants mentioned. Its significance remained consistent throughout history. One story tells of a dove bringing Noah an olive branch to signify the flood was over. (Book of Genesis 8:11.) The olive is one of the seven noteworthy products of the Land of Israel (Deuteronomy 8:8), and according to Jewish law, it is mandatory to recite the me'eyn shalosh, a blessing said after consuming special foods. Traditionally, people used olive to light the Shabbat candles.

Throughout the Bible, the olive tree, oil, and fruit play an important part in many stories. Several times, the New Testament mentions the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem. In St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, it compares the Israelites to a "tame olive tree" and the Gentiles to a "wild olive branch."

Olive oil is sacred in the Catholic Church.

The Oil of Catechumen is pure olive oil used before the baptism with water. It is applied to the person being baptized as a sign of cleansing, strengthening, and preparation for the Christian life. The anointing with this oil symbolizes protection against evil and temptation, as well as readiness to carry the cross of Christ. It is used both for infants and adults before baptism.

Chrism oil is olive oil mixed with balsam, giving it a fragrant aroma that represents the "sweet aroma of Christ." It is used after the baptism with water to anoint the newly baptized, marking them Christians and signifying consecration and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Chrism oil is also used in Confirmation, Ordination, and the consecration of bishops, altars, and sacred images with an aromatic substance called balsam (to represent the sweet aroma of Christ).

Oil of the Infirm or Sick is pure olive oil used to anoint the sick.

The Prophet Muhammad.

In the Quran, the olive is declared a precious fruit. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH – Peace Be Upon Him) believed that olive oil cures seventy diseases and proclaimed that people should consume the blessed fruit. "Eat olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is a holy tree." "And [We brought forth] a tree issuing from Mount Sinai which produces oil and food for those who eat." [Surah Muminoon:20].

Symbols and Prizes

The olive branch appears in many flags worldwide, symbolizing hope, peace, beauty, and prosperity. In the Great Seal of the United States, an eagle clutches an olive branch. And in 1946, the United Nations added two olive branches to the Flag of the United Nations.

The branch has been a symbol on currency and coins throughout history and the world. Of course, it was present on Greek and Roman coins. The US has many coins with olive branches—too many (or possibly all of them) to mention without becoming a blog on numismatics. The olive branch can also be found on coins from, Britain, China, and more.

In the Panathenaic Games in Athens, olive oil was the prize awarded to winners. The prize value varied according to the contest; for example, the best runner won 2,500 kilos of oil, and the chariot race winner received 5,000 kilos. That's a lot of oil! The highest award was a crown crafted from olive branches, and one who received it had fame, honor, and respect for life. In 2004, in Athens was the last time for this tradition.

The Oldest Trees

It's remarkable the following ancient trees are still living and producing fruit! Oh, the stories they could tell as living witnesses of history. And the twists and turns of their trunks are beautiful and fascinating. I have a few trees estimated to be 100 to 150 years old.

It is believed that the oldest olive tree is located in Ano Vouves, Crete, Greece, and is estimated to be 3,000 to 4,000 years old. It was a seedling in the Bronze Age. Although the trunk is now hollow, the branches still produce olives.

The Millenary olive tree of Palombara Sabina in Lazio stands next to the town cemetery, watching over the dead, and is estimated to be around 3,000 years old. There is a tradition that, for a good omen, young couples take a photo in front of the tree dressed in their wedding clothes.

The Ulivo della Strega in Tuscany, Italy, also known as Witch's Olive, is estimated to be 3,500 years old. When the tree was at the height of its glory, all forty members of the town's philharmonic orchestra could sit under the branches, and it got the name Witch's Olive because, as the legend goes, a single witch would dance around the tree every Friday.

Luras Millennial Olive Tree is the grandfather of all the trees. It's big, with a circumference of 12 meters (measured at 1.3 meters high), and the crown is 600 square meters. No wonder it's called the granddaddy. In 1991, it was declared a Natural Monument. It lives in the municipality of Luras Sardinia.