Enipeas known since the Homeric years was a most handsome river god. It was one of the devotional monikers given to the god Poseidon and it means noisy. According to Greek mythology Enipeas was a handsome young man desired by all the Olympian goddesses. There is an ancient myth that tells the story of Tyro, the daughter of Salmoneas, king of Ilida. Tyro was often visiting the shores of Enipeas wailing over the water for her unreciprocated love for him. But Poseidon that was in love with Tyro seized the opportunity and took the form of Enipeas and seduced her right there at the river shores. Later on Poseidon revealed his true identity and foretold her about the birth of her twins. According to another myth it was at the Enipeas canyon where Orpheus was devoured by the Maenads, and it’s been also told that the gorgeous Lito, mother of the goddess Artemis and the god Apollo, used to bathe there. Local regents up to these days picture Enipeas to be still washing his hair at the river shores.
Moreover, Lucian, a well known orator and satiric writer of the 2nd century A.D dedicated one of his dialogs to the legendary Enipeas.
Homer’s Odyssey -l- ( Hades, Nekyia)
l 230 This was the plan that appeared to my mind as the best and the wisest :
l 231 Drawing the keen-edged sword at my sinewy thigh from the scabbard.
l 232 Many together to drink of the dark red blood I allowed not.
l 233 Each one after the other in order approached it, and singly
l 234 Each declared her descent ; and to all I addressed me with questions.
l 235 Tyro first I beheld, of a stock right noble descended
l 236 Daughter she boasted herself of Salmoneus, glorious hero
l 237 Wife, as she said, of a son begotten by Aeolus, Cretheus.
l 238 Once of a river enamoured, the heaven-descended Enipeus,
l 239 (He is the river the fairest by far on earth that is flowing)
l 240 Often she wandered along by Enipeus’ beautiful currents ;
l 241 Likened to whom did the Shaker of Earth, land-girding Poseidon,
l 242 Lay him adown by her side at the mouth of the eddying river.
l 243 Purple the wave stood round them, as solid and huge as a mountain.
l 244 Arching above and hiding the god and the earth-born woman.
l 245 Then did he, loosing the zone of the maid, shed slumber upon her.
l 246 Now so soon as Poseidon his amorous work had accomplished.
l 247 Tenderly clasping her hand he addressed her and greeted her kindly :
l 248 Woman, be glad in my love ! When the year’s revolution is ended
l 249 Glorious children to bear will be thine for unfruitful is never
l 250 Couch of immortal. But see that thou carefully cherish and tend them.
l 251 Go to thy home, and be still, nor utter the name that I tell thee :
l 252 Lo, it is I that address thee, the King Earth-shaking Poseidon.’
l 253 These words uttered, he plunged in the depths of the billowing ocean.
History and healthy diet
The olive tree is an integrant symbol that we meet throughout history. A symbol of knowledge and wisdom represented by the goddess Athena, a victory trophy used at the coronations in the ancient Olympic Games, a symbol of peace and fertility, prosperity and health. Since the prehistoric era the olive oil is connected with a healthy diet, body nourishment and also adornment. During the ancient times it has been featured in all aspects of private and social life. We can’t help mentioning that during the ancient Olympic Games the athletes used to anoint themselves with olive oil before their daily exercise, their practice and during the Games. That practice reinforced the muscle stimulation protected them from the cold and dehydration. The aryvallus filled with olive oil was the essential complement jar of the athletes. To
remove the sand and dust from their oily bodies they used a strigil.
Health and Gastronomy: The extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in the Mediterranean diet
The extra virgin olive oil is an inextricable element in the Mediterranean diet, prominent as an elixir of youth and a major longevity factor. It has been characterized by Homer as “liquid gold” and by Sophocles as a “child nourishment”. Looking into the Hippocrates code we can find more than 60 therapeutic attributes. Its high indicators in oleocanthal and oleicin are accepted by modern science as valid contributors in antioxidant action. We can find many modern publications that state the antioxidant actions of the agents of that specific type of olive oil, as we can find plenty verified scientific articles pointing out its significance for a human’s diet and health. Its high indicators in oleocanthal, oleicin and hydrothyroxol, the unsweetened element of the oleuropein, are major inhibitors to the aggregation of platelets, a factor responsible for blood clots, and also these substances can act in a beneficial manner to our health when coping with cancer. In addition these chemical compounds present anti-inflammatory abilities that can act in a protective manner against cardiac failures or strokes. We can find plenty of scientific researches and data praising their beneficial abilities.
The olive oil plays a prominent part in the Mediterranean diet. Researches have pointed out that the polyphenols of the early harvest olive oil affect the levels of glucose in our blood, contribute in coping with diabetes, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis arthritis and oncological conditions.