Paul M. Krueger

ㅤIn the dawn of Athens, a city yet to find its divine protector, King Cecrops sought a patron. Two powerful Olympians, Poseidon and Athena, answered the call. Poseidon, with a mighty thrust of his trident, struck the Acropolis, and a salt spring burst forth. Athena, ever wise, planted an olive tree, its branches heavy with promise. The Athenians, discerning the greater boon, chose Athena, and the city took her name. This legendary contest, etched in the stone of the Parthenon’s west pediment, marked the beginning of Athens’ devotion to its goddess.

ㅤThe olive tree, born of Athena’s gift, became more than just a tree; it was a living symbol of her primacy and a cornerstone of Athenian life. It was deemed the sacred “moria,” a tree under the state’s protection. Around 525 BCE, a temple dedicated to Athena Polias was erected, housing a statue carved from olive wood and a precinct for the sacred tree itself, solidifying its importance.

ㅤIn 480 BCE, the tranquility was shattered by the Persian armies of Xerxes. The Acropolis, a beacon of Athenian pride, was set ablaze. Yet, amidst the destruction, a miracle occurred. Herodotus recounts that the olive tree, though scorched, sprouted a new branch, reaching a height of two cubits in a single day. Seeds from this resilient tree were replanted across Attica, ensuring that every olive grove in the region carried a touch of Athena’s original gift.

ㅤFollowing the Persian retreat, and the lapse of the Oath of Platea in 421 BCE, the Athenians built the Erechtheion. This temple, a testament to their enduring faith, marked the very spots where Poseidon’s trident had struck and where Athena’s olive tree stood. The tree, once again, was surrounded by grand monuments, continuing to be honored as a vital part of Athenian religious and cultural life.

ㅤThe olive tree’s influence extended far beyond its sacred precinct. Its products permeated every aspect of Greek life: leaves woven into crowns for victors, wood fashioned into homes and ships, oil fueling lamps and anointing athletes, and olives nourishing the populace. Even the city’s coinage, the iconic tetradrachm, bore the image of olive leaves. Regardless of its exact origins, the tree remained a constant presence, a symbol of divine favor and earthly abundance.

ㅤThrough centuries of conflict, the olive tree endured, a silent witness to the city’s trials. Though it suffered damage in various wars, a branch was always saved, ensuring its survival. Most notably, during World War II, German forces inflicted severe damage. However, the American School of Archaeology rescued a branch, preserving its lineage. In 1952, Queen Sophia of Spain, then Princess of Greece, replanted a cutting from this branch, ensuring the sacred tree’s continuation.

ㅤToday, the olive tree stands proudly on the northern slope of the Acropolis, before the Erechtheion. Though not the original tree of myth, it remains a powerful symbol of dedication and reverence. It is the most sacred “moria,” a living link to Athena’s gift and the enduring spirit of Athens.