One learning target could be: Students describe several of the ways olive oil was used in ancient Greece. Students compare this valuable agricultural resource with a modern resource of similar importance.

 

When teaching economics we think of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods. We also consider the resources used to produce the goods. Students may be familiar with such ideas based upon local resources (logging, dairy, farming, etc.)

 

​Olive oil was liquid gold to the ancient Greeks, as well as one of the primary commodities traded in the years known as BCE. It was consumed in people’s diet, used to create light, used in medicines, used in perfumes, used by athletes, used for cleaning bodies, and more. There is little doubt that this product was the most meaningful of all products for the ancient Greeks. It was also the symbol of peace, wisdom, and victory. Olympic winners received an olive wreath as a symbol of their success. They received a prize of olive oil for their success.

 

You may wish to give students a direct experience with olive oil. You could give them a chance to taste it. One teacher did this along with some fresh bread for dipping. Another experience is to wash hands with it. The ancient Greeks used it in this way. It would be applied to the skin and then scraped off or rubbed off. No running water and soap. This may have a more profound impact.

 

By learning about the importance of this product in the economy of the ancient Greeks, and its production, distribution, and consumption, we can better understand our own relationship our own agricultural world and its impact on our lives. You may wish to continue along this path, having students trace production in the local agricultural economy. They could show how a product moves from production, to distribution, to consumption.

 

Your discussion of olive oil may naturally lead into a discussion of oil/gas in our modern day economy. We rely on energy from oil, gas, and natural gas for transportation, heat, and many other uses every day. This may lead to a conclusion that "oil" was a crucial resource in ancient cultures and it remains a crucial resource in our own culture today.

 

This leads to the script of the play. There is an exchange between the citizens of Athens and the children. It leads to a humorous misinterpretation of the term "oil". Both cultures are thinking of the "oil" that is meaningful and valuable in their own lives, not realizing that the other party is thinking of a different kind of oil.

 

 

This conversation is found on pages 17-19 of the script.

 

 

Shopkeeper 2: We are all curious about your home at Mount Olympus. In the land of the Gods, how is the oil?

 

Sarah: Oil? Fine, I guess. She looks surprised by the question.

 

Shopkeeper 1: Your trees must be divine.

 

Sarah: Actually we have really great trees, but what does that have to do with oil? The Greeks laugh nervously.

 

Shopkeeper 2: How do you get your oil?

 

Sarah: Oil doesn’t come from trees. It comes from underground. People drill for it. All performers are now laughing.

 

Shopkeeper 1: This is sounding crazy to me. Are you saying your oil comes from underneath the ground? (Pause.) How does it taste after being underground?

 

Sarah: We don’t taste oil! (Looking at each other astounded) It’s black and thick and you can’t really use it until it gets treated somehow.

 

Shopkeeper 2: We have never heard of such oil before. The world of the Gods is so foreign to us. (Looking around and laughing nervously.) But maybe someday we will get to see it and learn about it.

 

John: I’m sure you will, but probably not for many years. (looking as if he knew a secret)

 

Shopkeeper 1: Well our oil is wonderful. We would be honored for you to taste some.

 

Nicki: No offense but, we aren’t really that interested in tasting your oil…(like it was a ridiculous idea)

 

Shopkeeper 2: Well of course we cannot force you, but it comes from the most sacred trees in all of Athens, including olives from the sacred tree on the Acropolis. The children look at each other, finally realizing that the oil is not fuel oil but instead is olive oil.

 

John: Oh. You are speaking of the sacred olive oil. Thank you for your very kind offer. We were thinking (pause) of some other “God” oils. We would love to taste your special oil.

 

Nicki: May we have bread to go with it?