Mythological Contest
One of the most famous mythological contests in ancient Greek lore is that recounted between Athena and Poseidon for the patronage of what would become one of the most beautiful and culturally rich spots on earth—the city that has been known by the name of Athena, or Athens, for thousands of years. The setting for this legendary contest was the prominent natural limestone plateau known as the Acropolis, or "high city."
The story goes that Poseidon went first. He struck the rocky ground with his trident, offering the citizens a saltwater spring, a symbol of his dominion over the seas. In contrast, Athena created a small hole with her spear, knelt down, and gently planted an olive tree on this windswept rocky promontory that rises 230 feet above the plain of Attica (512 feet above sea level).
Her seemingly humble yet wise offering resonated deeply with the people. The olive tree, with its promise of oil, food, and wood—resources that had long symbolized peace, wisdom, and prosperity in both Greece and the Near East (as seen in the Biblical story of Noah's ark and the olive branch)—was recognized as the more valuable gift. The tree's rapid growth, viewed by the city's people as a sign of its divine origin and immediate usefulness, further solidified Athena’s favor with the citizens. As a result, Athena was chosen as the city's patroness, and the city was named in her honor.
Acropolis of Athens and the Olive Tree
Other than being the setting for this famous competition, the Acropolis of Athens provided a natural defensive position for the city throughout the eons and also became the site of some of the most magnificent buildings the world has ever seen. Even in their ruinous state—primarily due to an explosion on September 26, 1687, during a war between the Turks and the Venetians, more than 2,000 years after the wonderous buildings' construction—they remain a sight to behold, visible from miles around and still inspiring awe in those who gaze upon them. Among the marble structures that were constructed in the 5th century BC under the leadership of the statesman Pericles by architects and artists whose names seem almost legendary today—Phidias, Ictinus, Callicrates, Mnesicles, Kallimachos—the humble olive tree can sometimes be overlooked.
But not by me nor many many others.
Personal Quest for the "Sacred" Olive Tree at the Acropolis of Athens
The first time I visited the Acropolis of Athens more than anything—even more than seeing the incomparable Parthenon—I wanted to find that tree. But since it sprang from myth, I didn’t truly expect it to be there. You can imagine my surprise when, standing gracefully and picture-perfect on the rocky terrain beside one of the ancient ruins, there it was—the olive tree!
It wasn’t enormous, nor did it command awe with its size or stature. Instead, it was almost unassuming, nestled among the golden ruins of the iconic man-made architectural works of art scattered across the plateau. Yet, as its silvery green leaves danced gently in the late October breeze that day, I was deeply moved. There was something about it—a quiet, enduring presence that commanded reverence. In its simple elegance, it was one of the most profoundly moving trees I had ever seen. The knowledge of its storied past, the legends, and the extraordinary history it had witnessed made it as mighty as the massive oaks and towering redwoods I had grown up with in the United States.
The Pandroseion and Erechtheion
I later learned that the building beside which it stood was the Erechtheion, a stunning temple built to honor the olive tree, Poseidon’s well, and other sacred relics of classical Athens. But predating the Erechtheion was the Pandroseion. The Pandroseion was an open air structure created to house and honor the sacred olive tree and other important religious artifacts. What made the later Erechtheion truly unique however was how it incorporated and surrounded the older Pandroseion and the sacred olive tree. The architects of the Erechtheion understood the significance of these sites which to them, living in 5th century BC were considered ancient (which is kind of mind boggling!), and rather than replacing them, they chose to integrate them into the new temple's design. In doing so, the Erechtheion became not only a symbol of the classical era’s architectural prowess but also a guardian of Athens’ most ancient and revered traditions.
How extraordinary that this tree was so significant to the Athenians of Pericles' era that they commissioned a grand marble temple, designed by Kallimachos, to protect and honor it. This tree stands to the west of the Erechtheion, and on that first afternoon that I visited, the setting sun bathed the site in golden light. The entire Acropolis had a majestic glow, radiant and royal. Yet, even amidst this splendor, the gentle and sweet rustling of the tree’s silver-green leaves and its steadfast trunk brought a gentle comfort to my soul. It was alive and exuded a humble yet profound presence in a "still small voice" sort of way. I felt that it had been perfectly placed at this spot on the earth.
The fact that this tree’s history was documented—when so many civilizations lacked written records—only adds to its significance. Knowing that this tree carries the DNA of the very one gifted by Athena in the days of myth and legend, long before the days of Noah's ark, even longer before the Unknown God of Acts 17 was revealed to the Greeks, makes it truly remarkable.
Olive Trees and PJ Kabos
I didn’t know it then, but olive trees were going to play a very big role in my life. It's interesting, considering how important it was to me to go on a quest to find this tree on my first day ever in Greece. The tree I looked upon in 1978, and indeed the same tree today, came from a sprout that had been protected and nurtured by the archaeologists of Athens and the American School of Classical Studies. It was replanted in this spot in 1952 by then-Princess Sophia of Greece (now Queen Sofia of Spain) after the tree had almost been another casualty of World War II. Ironically, at the same time, down near Ancient Olympia in the Peloponnese of Greece, the olive trees that would one day make up the PJ Kabos groves were planted by the founder of the company, James Panagiotopoulos' grandparents—some of the very trees from which PJ Kabos award winning high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil is produced today...
Just One Person
Legends and myths aside, after working with olive trees for many years, I know that it is entirely possible for the tree at the Acropolis of Athens to be a direct descendant of the original one planted eons ago. All it would take is for just one person to cut a shoot from the tree, care for it, protect it, and replant it, if indeed the tree didn't regenerate by itself as it is purported to have done after the Persian burning of the Acropolis in 480 BC (after the Battle of Thermopylae and before the decisive Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis) and probably several other times too. Throughout history, there have always been such individuals who helped the tree continue—like links in an exquisite silver chain—even when human conflicts threatened to destroy it. What’s important is that the "Sacred" Acropolis Olive Tree is connected to the one mentioned by ancient writers like Pausanias and Apollodorus, and it carries the DNA of its predecessor. That means everything. (See our sister site, oliveoil.com, "The Sacred Olive Tree at the Acropolis of Athens: A Living Memorial" and the numerous assaults it has survived.)
How an Olive Tree Can Live Forever
To propagate an olive tree and ensure that a "new" one carries the same DNA as the parent, you need to take a shoot or cutting from a healthy branch. Ideally, this should be done in the spring when the tree is actively growing. Select a branch about 6 to 12 inches long with 3 to 4 nodes—those small bumps where leaves attach to the stem. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting, leaving a few at the top. Plant the cutting in a pot filled with well-draining soil.
Then, water the cutting lightly and cover the pot with a plastic bag or a small greenhouse dome to create a humid environment. Place the pot in a warm, bright location, but out of direct sunlight. Over the next few weeks, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
After a few months, when the cutting has developed a strong root system, it’s ready to be transplanted into a larger pot or directly into the ground. This new tree will be genetically identical to the original, a true extension of its parent.
Rich History and Timeless Beauty
In a world that’s constantly changing, the olive tree at the Acropolis of Athens remains a comforting constant. I am very grateful to the unnamed people throughout the ages who have kept it alive. I would have been so disappointed that first day I was in Greece, almost half a century ago, when I went on my "Acropolis Olive Tree Quest" if that silver-tipped beauty hadn’t been there to greet me. And I know that is how it must be for many people today who make the strenuous and slippery climb up, not just to see the sundrenched memorials made of marble such as the elegant Parthenon, Erechtheion, Athena Niki, etc. but to find that living, thriving memorial that still gives of its bountiful fruit each year.
I still love visiting the olive tree on the Acropolis. Although I don’t make it up there as often as I’d like, the tree's quiet strength and enduring presence always bring me a sense of peace and connection to the past. Knowing that this ancient symbol of wisdom and resilience is just four miles from my home fills me with gratitude. Moving forward, I’m determined to visit it more often, to spend time in its company, and to draw inspiration from its steadfastness, much like I do when walking through PJ Kabos’ olive groves near another ancient Greek site, Ancient Olympia, in the Peloponnese.
A quick look at some of the high-phenolic olive oils produced by PJ Kabos
(Black Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Robust, is an extra virgin olive oil that is very high in polyphenols and adds depth, character and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—Medium Taste
(White Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve—Medium Taste
(White Tin)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil in an easy-to-store tin that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
Please enjoy having a look around our websites, pjkabos.com and oliveoil.com, as well as our Amazon Store for more about our many high-phenolic olive oils, recipes, history, etc. And follow along with us on Instagram for photos concerning olive oil production, our groves in Greece, articles about olive oil, family history and more.
PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For those who want to be good to their bodies.