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Room 17 – The sacred tree
The olive tree is the symbol of the Mediterranean area for excellence. The religious, artistic, spiritual and literary ideas surrounding the tree created an impressive and antique phenomenon. Olive oil lit the torches that illuminated the Egyptian temples of the God Ra, the temple of Salomon in Jerusalem, in churches and mosques, and was considered sacred by the Phonecians and Greeks even before the development of the great monotheist religions. Olive branches have always symbolized peace, honour and victory; olive oil has ordained kings, priests and bishops, anointed worshippers instilling into them strength, hope and salvation, through the life span of birth, death and the most important events of life.

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The artistic, religious and symbolic patrimony surrounding the olive tree is made up of different elements significant and difficult to synthesize. For this reason this section has been enriched with slides showing citations and art works which represent some examples of the artistic inspiration taken from the tree. These objects have been chosen for their strong, symbolic value: a holy lamp, a lamp from Chanucca and a lamp from a mosque which all represent the religious significance of the burning of olive oil, a vessel for the holy oil illustrates the use of oil in the sacraments and Greek and Roman coins remind us that the olive tree was considered sacred and protective for the inhabitants of Athens 
 

Tetradramma. 
 This coin synthesizes well the complex system of symbolic connections between the Goddess Athena, the city of Athens, the owl and the olive tree. The owl and the tree were sacred to Athena. This coin shows the bond between the goddess and her city with the presence of all the elements: the goddess, the owl, the crown of olive leaves and the amphora full of oil from the sacred olive trees offered as a trophy to the victors during the Panathenese fiestas.

Topside: The helmeted head of Athena
Underside: an owl upon an amphora encircled within a crown of olive branches.

Material: silver
Dimension: diameter 1,7cm
Manufacturing technique: casting and coinage
Origin: Athens 
Dated: 189 B.C.