The origins of Olive Oil, Between History and Myth

The roots of Olive Oil as an ever-present element on our table can be traced to approximately 4000 years before our era. Clay pots and bowls utilized as olive oil containers were found in Creta, the cradle of the mediterranean civilization.

Moreover, we are aware of many references to the “liquid gold” (as Homer, the latin poet defined olive oil) in the greek mythology, among which we are particularly fascinated by one.

The ancient Greeks chronicled a competition between Poseidon, god of the sea and Athena, goddess of peace and wisdom. Victory would have been awarded to whom had given the most useful gift to the recently built city in the Attica region. Poseidon hit a rock with his trident and a spring rose frome it. 

Water started flowing and a horse appeared from the spring, emblem of strength and a precious aid in wartime. When Athena’s turn came, she stuck her spear in the ground and turned it into an olive tree, token of peace and a great source of food and combustible. Athena’s gift was considered to be the most advantageous and the new city was named Athens in her honor. The Olive tree is currently considered a divine gift, and an Olive tree still stands and grows in Athens Acropolis.

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Southern Italy’s wilderness was scattered with Olive trees long before the Roman settlement (presumably since the Mesolithic), but Romans were the ones to study the olive and refine its cultivation and processing.  With the onset of the Roman time olive oil commerce developed and turned into a flourishing market, which corresponded to the invention and manufacture of equipment for its processing and transportation (like moulding machines,grinders and craters). This precious juice was also employed in hygiene and physiotherapy massages.

The Olive Oil

The Apulian region is recognised to inherently have a welcoming environment for the farming of various types of exquisite Olive varieties: this was the main reason for the large amount of cultivations that over the years gave Apulia the preeminence in quantity, diversity and quality in Olive Oil production since the 1700s.