Information About Athena's Olive Tree

In legend, the Greek goddess Athena bestowed the olive tree on the city of Athens.

Athena's olive tree is a legendary specimen that the Greek goddess Athena bestowed on the ancient city of Athens, thereby establishing herself as its patron and protector. Athens, in fact, takes its name from the goddess, who was a daughter of Zeus, king of the Greek pantheon. The mythical tree was most likely a specimen of Olea europea, of great value to the Greeks and other Mediterranean cultures for its edible fruit and the oil made from it. It has been cultivated in the region since at least 3600 B.C., according to botanist Martyn Rix.

Olea Europea Characteristics

Cultivated varieties of Olea europea grow to be about 25 feet tall. The leaves are elongated ovals and about 3 inches long, with silvery undersides. The small, white fragrant flowers have four petals apiece, fused at the base, and insects pollinate the tree. The fleshy, oblong fruits are green or black when ripe. The wild species form of Olea europea features thorny branches and smaller fruit with thin flesh. Olive growers have been improving on the wild form for centuries, first through selection of the strongest specimens and later through cross-breeding.

Athena

Athena, goddess of wisdom, battle strategy, the arts and justice, was born, fully formed, from the head of her father, Zeus. The gift of the olive tree took place when Athena and Poseidon, god of the sea, held a contest to determine which deity would be the patron of the city that would eventually be called Athens. Poseidon created a well, but filled it with salty seawater. Athena offered an olive tree, which gave the Athenians fruit, oil, shelter from the sun and wood. An olive dubbed "Athena's Olive Tree," still grows in Athens near the Erichtheon.

Olive Uses

Olives are eaten fresh or cured in brine, as well pressed to make olive oil, a dietary staple in the Mediterranean for millennia. The oil, available in several forms, is monosaturated, and does not raise cholesterol levels. In addition to its culinary uses, olive oil is also an ingredient in some soaps. Olive wood is hard and durable, making it useful for furniture and a number of smaller objects including bowls, serving pieces, mortars, vases and trays. Olive trees are also grown in warm winter climates for purely ornamental purposes.

Olive Culture

To produce good crops of olives, olive trees need abundant sun, water at the right times and careful pruning. Most olive trees are grafted specimens, with a cutting from the parent tree grafted onto a hardy rootstock. The trees need fertile, well-drained soil, but can also survive in less than desirable locations. The trees will bear fruit without pruning but correct pruning ensures a crop every year instead of every three to five years. Olives bloom and bear fruit on "old" wood from the previous year, so they must be pruned to preserve buds on the old branches.

References

• Explore Crete: The Olive Tree and Olive Oil in Crete and Greece
• Encyclopedia Mythica: Athena
• "Hortus Third"; Liberty Hyde Bailey, Ethel Zoe Bailey, et al.; 1976
• "The Botanical Garden, V. I"; Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix; 2002