The olive is native to the Mediterranean region, tropical and central Asia and various parts of Africa. The olive has a history almost as long as that of Western civilization, it's development being one of civilized man's first accomplishments. At a site in Spain, carbon-dating has shown olive seed found there to be eight thousand years old. O. europaea may have been cultivated independently in two places, Crete and Syria. Archeological evidence suggest that olives were being grown in Crete as long ago as 2,500 B.C. From Crete and Syria olives spread to Greece, Rome and other parts of the Mediterranean area.
The high position held by the Olive tree in ancient as in modern days may be realized when it is remembered that Moses exempted from military service men who would work at its cultivation, and that in Scriptural and classical writings the oil is mentioned as a symbol of goodness and purity, and the tree as representing peace and happiness. The oil, in addition to its wide use in diet, was burnt in the sacred lamps of temples, while the victor in the Olympic games was crowned with its leaves. Throughout the centuries, the olive tree has represented man's domestication of plants, and symbolized the boundless resources of nature: food from its fruit; light from its oil; peace through its metaphorical connotations.
Olea europaea have been cultivated by humans since before 3700 B.C., along with grapes, figs and date palms. They are mentioned liberally in the Old Testament as a food crop. Trade in olive oil has had a strong effect on the strengthening of the Roman Empire, as demand for the oil for cooking spread quickly once its reputation and taste made its way through northern Europe and into Africa. With the olive oil came Roman soldiers, and the rest is European history.
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