Olive Oil - Pure and Simple 

A Bit of History about Olive Oil

In ancient days, Homer referred to olive oil as "liquid gold." It was rubbed all over the bodies of ancient athletes giving them a mystical glow as they competed. It was dropped prayerfully onto the bones of dead saints and martyrs through holes in their tombs to anoint them and ask for blesings. And of course it has been used for for much more than an addition to cooking! The uses of Olive oil to the Mediterranean peoples cover a vast array - from being medicinal to magical as well as the source of great wealth and power.

It was held as sacred that olive oil anointed the body with strength and youth. In many cultures such as ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, olive oil was infused with flowers and herbs for both medicinal and cosmetic use. Excavation of ancient cities has many times uncovered tablets listing many aromatics (fennel, sesame, celery, watercress, mint, sage, rose, and juniper among others) added to olive oil in the preparation of ointments.

Even the leaves of the knurly and twisted olive tree, was full of symbolism. It waxy leaves lent way as a symbol of not only abundance, but of glory, peace and crowns. The fruit of the oil and the leaves crowned and anointed heads throughout our history. Think if you can of all the uses that have come down to us through the pages of history - olive branches, emblems, as an offering to deities and in all types of ceremonies - from weddings to funerals..

Ancient Roots

The olive culture has ancient roots, and was first cultivated around 5,000 BC in the Eastern part of the Mediterranean. This region was known as the 'fertile crescent,' and from there moved westwards to become a staple of all peoples today. There has even been a fossilized remains of an olive tree's ancestor found near the town of Livorno in Italy.

The cultivation of the olive tree most probably began approximately 5000 B.C. From there it spread from Crete to Syria, Palestine, and Israel where trade routes and merchants brought the new liquid gold to Southern Turkey, Cyprus, and Egypt. Up until 1500 B.C., Greece�particularly Mycenae�was the area where olive oil production was most heavily cultivated. However, with the explosion of the emerging Greek colonies, cultivation reached Southern Italy and Northern Africa in the eighth century B.C. and then spread into Southern France. The Roman era introduced the planting of olive trees in the entire Mediterranean basin and by the first century it was said that Italy had the most excellent olive oil in all of the Mediterranean and at reasonable prices.

Olive trees were so important and such a needed commodity that they were considered sacred and anyone caught cutting down a tree was condemned to death or exile. Both in Greece and Rome trade ships were built strictly for the purpose of transporting this precious liquid gold.

In biblical history, all of Israel placed great importance on the cultivation of olive trees. It is said that King David even had guards watching over the olive groves and warehouses, ensuring the safety of the trees and their precious oil. It was used to anoint their kings, prophets and priests.

The Olive tree renders a double fold message. The olive tree has almost a titanic resistance to decay. It has a vital force which renders them nearly immortal and despite harsh winters and burning summers, despite pruning and even cutting down, they continue to grow. The regal yet mysterious trunk reaches towards the heavens and bears fruit and healing it is branches. This majestic wonder thrives and produces abundantly in warm dry summers and rainy winters. Today there are about thirty different varieties of olives that have been cultivated - each particular oil distinct in its flavor and potency.   The most prolific producers  today are Italy, Spain and Greece.

Read more about the Uses of Olive Oil in Scripture by clicking here.