Moria (tree)

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The most sacred moria tree stands in front of the ancient temple of Erechtheion on the Acropolis of Athens, Greece. Thought to be the same location of the very first olive tree given to Athens by the Greek goddess Athena.

In ancient Greece, the moriai (plural of moria) were olive trees considered to be the property of the state because of their religious significance.

Overview

From Attic Orators, vol. I. p. 289:

Throughout

Akademos and comprised a sacred grove. These trees, we are told by our ancient sources, were called moriai. The etymology remains obscure, but the most compelling explanation is the connection of the word moria with the stem μερ, which bears the meaning "to be part of"; the moriai were part of Athena's property.[2]

Mythical origin of moria (olive) trees in ancient Greece

Contest for Attica (Athens)

According to

patron deity and have the city named in his/her honor. Poseidon was the first to present his gift; striking a rock with a powerful blow of his trident, a spring of salt water burst through. Athena came next; as she thrust her spear into the ground of the Acropolis, she knelt down and planted an olive branch in the hole, which quickly grew into Greece's very first moria (olive) tree. King Cecrops and the people of Attica deliberated the usefulness of the gifts. Poseidon's spring made of salt water was not suitable for drinking or much else, yet Athena's precious gift proved to be suitable for an abundance of purposes. Athena was hailed winner of the competition and was crowned patron goddess and protector of the city (polis) of Attica, whose people adopted the name Athens in her honor.

Athenian Tetradrachm coins: Helmeted head of Athena (left), Owl with an olive
sprig (right)

From Olive Oil Times, Laura Aitken-Burt writes:

The Athenians chose Athena's gift and the olive tree has remained a central part of Greek life ever since for all of its profound qualities. The leaves have been used to crown the heads of victorious athletes, generals and kings, the wood used to construct houses and boats, the oil used to give fuel to lamps, rubbed into the toned, muscled bodies of lithe athletes, added to all food dishes and the olives themselves—a staple in the Mediterranean diet and a valuable export throughout antiquity and today. Even the iconic Athenian tetradrachm coins had the leaves of the olive branch peeping to the left of Athena's owl.[3]

References

  1. ^ The Oedipus Coloneus of Sophocles. CUP Archive. 1914. p. 155. Attic Orators, vol. I. p. 289.
  2. ISBN 9780199694006
    .
  3. ^ Laura, Aitken-Burt (2015-03-10). "Sacred Olives: Athena's Tree on the Acropolis". Olive Oil Times. Retrieved 2017-05-02.
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