In italian the word melo is the translation of the latin malum that comes from the doric
In italian the word melo is the translation of the latin malum that comes from the doric word malon. In french the apple is named pomme from the latin pomum while the words apple or appfel in english and german come from the indoeuropean word abel that has the same origin as the celtic aval that gave the name to the mythical island of Avallon, the island of apples.
We can find this tree in the legendary history of Alexander the Great: he had discovered apples that extended life for 400 years. We all know, in fact, that "An apple a day keeps the doctor away", apples contain 85% of water, 13% sugar, organic acids, pectine, tannin and many vitamins (A,PP,C,E and of the B group).
There are many myths that concern this fruit: one of them is the greek story of Troy that centers on the golden apple. During the marriage of Peleo and Teti, Eris the Discord, threw a golden apple on wich she had written "to the most beautiful". Having to chose between Giuno, Athena and Aphrodite, Paris, son of Priamus, gave the apple to the latter causing the war that ended with the destruction of Troy.
In christian Middle ages the tree of knowledge is often drawn as an apple tree and the symbol of the original sin is an apple.
The roundness of the apple has inspired the symbol of the earth globe and in a figurative sense it is the symbol of Sovranity. For this reason the roman emperors, who thought themselves heirs of the godess Aphrodite, kept in hand a golden apple, representation of the Orbis terrae. The globe-apple appeared sometimes with the winged victory symbol of the absolute power.
If you want to know more read Florario by Alfredo Cattabiani
