Olive Oil – “The Greatest Gift to Humanity”
Let us embark on a journey back in time – far back to Ancient Greece, where the story of olive oil begins.
Imagine you are on Olympus. You are one of the gods and you hold all the power in the world. If you had to choose the greatest gift to humanity, what would it be?
There, in the past, this gift was the olive tree – known as the tree whose leaves, fruit and oil provided food and fuel for the Greeks; a symbol of peace, wisdom and prosperity. The olive tree enjoyed an unrivaled degree of fame. This gift of the gods was especially revered in ancient times.
A Contest of Gifts
According to Greek mythology, the creation of the olive tree was the result of a contest between Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and Poseidon, the god of the sea. Both wanted to be the protectors of a newly built city in Attica. According to legend, the city would be named after whichever of them could offer the inhabitants the most valuable gift.
With his trident, Poseidon struck a rock. Water rushed from the cliff, creating a spring, symbolizing his gift of the power of the sea.
Athena followed him by striking the rock with her spear, from which an olive tree sprang up - an offering signifying fertility and peace. The citizens wisely chose Athena, and she forever remained the patroness of the city named after her. To this day it is believed that all the olive trees in Athens descend from the first olive tree.
The Olympic Games and Zeus - the King of the Gods
In antiquity the olive tree was also associated with athletic competitions. At the Olympic Games, first held in 776 BC in honor of the god Zeus, athletes were massaged with olive oil. It was believed that this would bring them the wisdom and strength of Athena. The winners were rewarded with crowns of olive leaves and olive oil.
But it was not only athletes who touched this precious gift. According to tradition, anyone who polished a statue of Zeus with olive oil was rewarded with a long and happy life.
Hercules and the Olive Tree
According to Greek mythology, the famous hero Hercules killed the fearsome lion of Cithaeron with his bare hands, using a wooden club made from an olive tree.
Thus, besides wisdom and longevity, the olive tree came to be associated with resilience and strength.
Another myth tells of the victory of Theseus - son of King Aegeus - over the fearsome Minotaur. Theseus was chosen to be part of the annual sacrifice in which, together with other young men and maidens, he had to sail to the labyrinths of Crete. A sinister fate awaited them there - one by one they were cast into the dark corridors to become victims of the Minotaur. Before leaving, Theseus asked Apollo for protection and in response received a sacred olive branch from the Acropolis of Athens. Using a thread given to him by the Cretan princess Ariadne, Theseus tied it around the olive branch and set out to meet his fate. The brave young man managed to defeat the monster and save his fellow Athenian brothers and sisters. Following the trail of the thread, Theseus was able to find his way back and escape the labyrinth.
Olive oil also appears in the epic poems of Homer, who calls it “liquid gold” and mentions it many times in his works - the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey”.
Olive Oil – “The Greatest Gift to Humanity” to This Day
The ancient Greeks had a tradition of offering foreigners small vials of olive oil as a symbol of their great civilization. This tradition continues to this day, when guests are welcomed with bread and olive oil as a compliment.
Besides cooking, olive oil also finds a place in cosmetics and in the making of various vessels.
Now the “Greatest Gift to Humanity” is even closer to you! You can now find some of this “liquid gold” by visiting our website and ordering the wonderful olive oils of the brands Extra Virgin olive oil Ariston Hellas O.E and Extra Virgin olive oil Nobleza del Sur.
Taste this gift that has inspired myths and legends!
