OLIVE TREES WERE FIRST CULTIVATED in the eastern part of the Mediterranean, and they spread all they spread all over the region. The writings of the poet Homer mention olives and prove that olive tree has been growing in Greece for over 10,000 years. The olive tree was considered sacred and was valuable. Under ancient Greek law, anyone who was found guilty of uprooting or destroying an olive tree could be sentenced to death. An ancient king of Israel, King David, even had guards watching over the olive groves and warehouses to ensure the safety of the tree and their precious oil.