This is a study that deals with the role of crowns and olive branches in worship, daily life, and struggles, while also extending to the study of the olive tree itself as a characteristic tree of the Greek and broader Mediterranean environment.

It aims to highlight the role of the most representative tree of the Greek flora in Greek culture, ancient religion, as expressed through the symbolic role of the crown, in combination with the athletic ideal, as well as modern worship.

In detail: The first part of the book provides an extensive reference to prehistoric times, highlighting and analyzing the appearances of the olive tree, branches, and crowns (the oldest date back to around 1450 B.C.). Additionally, it analyzes the athletic representations of the prehistoric world through the lens of modern research, emphasizing their connection to initiatory rituals and revealing their vegetative background.

The second part examines the mythological references and literary testimonies regarding the role of the olive tree, branches, and crowns in ancient worship. Particular attention is given to Athena's olive tree on the Acropolis of Athens and the wild olive tree of Olympia, as well as the crowns - prizes of the winners or the oil - prize of the Panathenaic Games.

The third part explores the olive tree and its role in ancient and modern customary practices.

Some of the contents of the work include:

• The olive tree as a symbol of the Olympic Games
• The 'stephanites' games of antiquity - The crown as the prize of the winners
• The crowns of religious ceremonies and symposia
• Crowns and branches as survivals of vegetative worship
• Kotinos, the crown of wild olive, and its religious symbolism
• The olive tree of Athens and Athena - The speaking symbol of a city
• The 'moria' olive tree of the Acropolis. The vision of miraculous regeneration
• The oil in the games. Ointments and stlegids
• The oil as a prize - Panathenaic games and amphorae
• The olive tree in Greek culture
• The culture of the olive tree. Ancient and modern worship - Survivals