The story of the first sacred olive tree, known as Maria Elaia, is a myth steeped in divine competition, rich symbolism, and cultural legacy. At the heart of this powerful tale lies a legendary conflict between two Olympian gods: Athena, goddess of wisdom, and Poseidon, god of the sea. Their goal? To win the favor and naming rights of a flourishing city—what we now know as Athens.
This myth is more than a tale of origins; it is a profound narrative about the value of peace over war, wisdom over power, and cultivation over destruction. It is a story that gave birth to one of the most iconic symbols of Greek civilization—the olive tree.
The Divine Contest on the Acropolis
The legend begins on the sacred rock of the Acropolis, where the twelve Olympian gods gathered to witness and judge the competition. Presiding over the mortal realm was King Cecrops, the mythical first king of Athens, who served as the earthly witness to this celestial challenge.
Poseidon Strikes First
Poseidon, with the raw force of the sea at his command, made the first move. He stood boldly in the center of the rock, raised his mighty trident, and drove it powerfully into the earth. In an instant, a spring of saltwater burst forth, creating a small lake—later known as the Erechtheis or Erechtheida Sea. This was Poseidon’s gift: a symbol of naval power, command over the oceans, and military strength.
Athena’s Gift: The First Olive Tree
Then it was Athena’s turn. With calm grace and divine purpose, she stepped forward and struck the rocky ground with her spear. From that barren soil sprouted an olive tree, full of green, luscious fruit. This tree was a marvel—the very first olive tree to ever grow on Earth. She called upon King Cecrops to witness this miracle, knowing the symbolic and practical power of her gift.
This sacred tree would later be known by the poetic name “Maria Elaia”, a name echoing through myth and memory, believed to be the mother of all olive trees in the world.
The Verdict: Wisdom Triumphs
When the time came to choose between the two gifts, the gods turned to Zeus, king of Olympus. Yet Zeus, in his wisdom, deferred to the judgement of Cecrops, who would understand what his city truly needed.
Cecrops gazed across the land. The seas, stirred by Poseidon’s power, were already all around—beautiful, but fierce and dangerous. But the olive tree? It represented life, nourishment, peace, prosperity, and a lasting gift to civilization. It promised food, oil, wood, and economic stability—essentials for a thriving society.
Thus, Cecrops chose Athena. The city was named Athens in her honor, and she became its eternal protector.
A Tree of Resilience and Sacred Power
The sacred olive tree planted by Athena was no ordinary plant—it was revered, protected, and believed to hold divine essence. Pausanias, Herodotus, Claudius Aelian, and Sophocles all refer to this miraculous tree and its divine origin.
Even centuries later, during the Persian invasion of 480 BC, the Acropolis was set ablaze, and the olive tree was burned. Athenians mourned this deeply. But the next day, in a sign many saw as divine approval, the charred trunk sprouted a new shoot, rising two cubits high. This miracle rejuvenated the spirit of the people and became a powerful symbol of rebirth, resistance, and eternal hope.
The Birth of Global Olive Cultivation
The Athenians believed that all olive trees in the world descended from this first sacred tree—Maria Elaia. From its fruit and seeds, the entire Mediterranean world would eventually become lush with olive groves. Olive oil became a cornerstone of Greek life, used in cooking, lighting, rituals, cosmetics, and athletics.
To this day, the olive tree remains a symbol of Greece, and its roots are traced back to this divine myth of Athena’s gift.
Alternate Roots: Crete and the Minoan Athena
While the myth centers on Athens, Cretan mythology offers another fascinating perspective. In this tradition, a version of Athena is seen as a Cretan goddess, closely tied to the Minoan Snake Goddess—a powerful female deity of life, fertility, and protection.
It is said that Athena was born near the mouth of the Triton River in Crete and bestowed the olive tree not to the Athenians, but to the Minoans, one of Europe’s earliest advanced civilizations.
The Potnia Athana and the Linear B Tablets
In support of this, scholars point to the Linear B tablets discovered at Knossos, which reference Potnia Athana—an early form of the name Athena. These inscriptions suggest that worship of the goddess predates classical Athens and that her sacred association with the olive tree may originate from even more ancient, prehistoric Crete.
A Myth That Still Grows
The myth of the first sacred olive tree is not just a story of gods and gifts. It’s the foundation of Athens’ identity, a parable of choosing wisdom over warfare, and a celebration of nature’s bounty as a divine blessing.
From the stony heights of the Acropolis to every olive grove that lines the Mediterranean, the legacy of “Maria Elaia” lives on—a symbol of peace, endurance, and the extraordinary bond between myth and the natural world.
