Greek mythology describes how Zeus promised to give Attica to the god or goddess who offered the most useful invention. It was Athena, Goddess of wistom and peace, who won the contest with her gift of the olive tree and its soothing, nourishing oil. Athena became the goddess of Athens and her olive tree was said to be planted on the rock of the Acropolis. In Rome the olive tree was sacred to Minerva and Jupiter.