Etymology and antiquity

The native range of thesweet cherryextends through most of Europe, western Asia and parts of northern Africa, and the fruit has been consumed throughout its range since prehistoric times. A cultivated cherry, as well as theapricot, is recorded as having been brought to Rome byLucius Licinius Lucullusfrom northeasternAnatolia, also known as thePontusregion, historicArmenia, in 72 BC.