The history of Spilt Pea Soup with Ham Hocks dates back to ancient civilization. The Greeks and Romans first began cultivating the legume between 500 and 400 B.C.. At that time, hot pea soup was a common item sold by Athens street vendors.The concept of eating fresh garden peas before they had fully ripened began just after the late Middle Ages in Europe. The split pea soup dish can be found in Australia, Britain Ireland, Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands, the United States, and multiple Nordic countries.