The perennial olive tree under which Plato is believed to have taught his students 2,400 years ago, is now gone.
In 1976 a bus ran into it and fractured its trunk. The broken part of the tree was then transferred to the nearby Geoponic University of Athens and kept in a case.
The remaining lower part of the trunk and its gigantic roots were discovered missing some days ago, local media reported, very likely uprooted and stolen to serve as firewood as is the case in many places in Greece. It was calculated that the stolen part of the tree weighed more than 1,000 pounds, nevertheless, it was removed without anyone taking notice.
The legend has it that the tree was part of the alleys that surrounded Plato’s Academy (called Akademia), and it was among the twelve olive trees that marked the twelve gated entries to the property. This part of Athens was later, and still is, named ‘Eleonas’ (olive grove) because of those ancient olive trees.
Olive Oil Times archives
Before the Akademia was a school, and even before Cimon enclosed its precincts with a wall, it contained a sacred grove of olive trees dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, outside the city walls of ancient Athens.
The name for the site was Hekademia (Ἑκαδήμεια), which by classical times evolved into Akademia and was explained, at least as early as the beginning of the 6th century BC, by linking it to an Athenian hero, a legendary “Akademos.”
Plato’s Olive Tree before a bus sheared off all but the trunk in 1976
It seems that whenever the modern and the ancient world collide, sadly the latter doesn’t stand a chance.
Related Articles
Dec. 8, 2022
Researchers Predict More Intense Wildfires in Europe
Climate and cultural changes mean more fuel is available for the fires. Researchers recommend some forestry practices to mitigate future mega-blazes.
Aug. 7, 2023
Olive Oil Production Returns to Pompeii 2,000 Years After Volcanic Eruption
Ministers and farming organizations tasted local extra virgin olive oil and table olives while promoting a UNESCO nomination for Italian cuisines.
Aug. 29, 2023
No Respite in Greece as Wildfires Incinerate Ancient Olive Groves in Makri
Wildfires continue to wreak havoc in rural Greece, partially destroying the traditional Makri olive grove and leaving local producers in despair.
Dec. 12, 2022
Olive Production Center of Gravity Moves Eastward
Ample rain and mild temperatures resulted in bumper crops in the Eastern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, drought and scorching heat saw olive oil yields evaporate in the west.
Feb. 9, 2023
Talking Olive Oil with Chat GPT
The artificial intelligence-powered chatbot demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of the olive oil industry and a capacity to provide precise information.
Oct. 23, 2023
Rising Prices, New Technology Attract Private Equity Interest in Olive Oil
Analysts are eyeing promising financial returns in the olive oil market, particularly in Spain and Portugal.
Jun. 8, 2023
Exploring the History of Tuscany’s Iconic Olive Landscape
While evidence of the first olive trees in the iconic Italian region date back to the 14th century, the proliferation of olive oil culture started centuries later.
Jan. 11, 2023
New Effort to Save Xylella-Hit Olive Trees in Apulia
The new Apulian initiative brings together olive growers, farm owners and researchers to save Ostuni’s centuries-old olive trees from Xylella fastidiosa.