The Olive at the centre of a legend

A Greek legend tells of Athena's quarrel…

Olive

Athena the goddess of Wisdom quarrelled with Poseidon, God of the Sea, over which of them would protect a new city.
To settle the dispute, the King of the Gods, Zeus, suggested they make a gift to Mankind.

Poseidon brandished a trident and produced a horse from a rock able to carry horsemen and weapons and draw battle-winning chariots.

Athena then leant over a piece of land and produced a nourishing tree, able to treat wounds and colds: the Olive.

Thus the Olive was created, acknowledged as "the most useful gift to Mankind".

This is how Athena obtained the protection of this new city.