In Greek mythology, Gaea was the personification of the Earth.
Gaea was the great mother of all; the primal Greek Mother Goddess, creator of the Earth and the Universe.
OLIVE TREE
According to Greek mythology, the city of Athens is the motherland of the olive tree. The first olive tree was planted on the Acropolis by goddess Athena.
The myth says that Athena and Poseidon were laying claims to the same city. They decided that the one who offered the most valuable present to the people would gain overall control of the city.
Poseidon struck the side of the acropolis rock with his trident and a water spring was formed. The Athenians admired the present but noticed that the water was very salty, just like seawater.
Athena offered the Athenians an olive tree, which provided the city with food, oil, wood and light. As a result, Athena became the protector of the city, which still carries her name: Athina.
HERCULES
The huge wooden club wielded by Hercules was made out of the “agrielia” wild olive tree. Upon the completion of his 12 labors, Hercules planted an olive tree in Olympia. The wreaths offered as prizes to winners of the Olympic Games were made of branches from that very tree.