Travelling

In Late Antiquity and in Byzantium travelling simply for pleasure was unheard of, as the few journeys undertaken always had a purpose, which varied depending on the time of year, means of transport, destination, place and travellers’ status and financial means.Land and sea journeys were often made by traders buying, transporting and selling products and raw materials. Just as frequent were the movements of sailors, soldiers and diplomats or government officials on special missions, as well as of clerics, who often travelled to synods or went on pilgrimages. Journeys to healing shrines and pilgrimages were also made by the pious, while travels for educational or cultural purposes were less frequent. There were of course forced mass migrations due to difficult circumstances, such as exile, enemy invasions or wars.

Sea travel was preferred due to greater speed. Although there were no scheduled passenger ships, those wishing to travel headed for a port and either chartered a ship or found a trading ship sailing for their destination. Ship type and weather conditions determined how long journeys took; the average distance covered within a day could vary from 30 to 50 kilometres.

On land routes travellers usually went on foot, as they seldom had quadrupeds (mules, donkeys or camels), to say nothing of carts. Rafts or boats were used to ferry people over to the opposite bank of rivers or lakes. The roads were in most cases broad and paved with slabs. They even had small columns (milestones) giving the distance to the nearest town. Public inns were found at regular points along the route; well-off people stayed there, while the poorer stayed in rather dangerous and infamous private dwellings (hostels), which often had dormitories rather than rooms, and yards for stabling animals.
Travelling involved many risks. On board ship there was always the threat of rough seas and shipwreck, or piracy and imprisonment. Those on land were at risk from thieves and crooks lurking on public roads, so people usually travelled in groups to protect each other, paying locals to act as guides and guards.

Unsurprisingly, journeys were regarded as life experiences for travellers, and more than a few decided to set down their experiences and adventures in writing. Apart from travel books, accounts of saints’ lives also contain valuable information on travelling.
 
 

1. Αγγελίδη, Χ., Εμπορικοί και αγιολογικοί δρόμοι (4ος – 7ος αι.). Οι μεταμορφώσεις της ταξιδιωτικής αφήγησης, Athens, 1989

2. Koder, J., Το Βυζάντιο ως χώρος Εισαγωγή στην ιστορική γεωγραφία της Ανατολικής Μεσογείου στη Βυζαντινή εποχή, Thessaloniki, 2005

3. Μοσχονάς Ν., Η επικοινωνία στο Βυζάντιο, Athens, 1993

4. Van der Vin, J.P.A., Travellers to Greece and Constantinople, Leyden, 1980

5. Wilkinson, J., Jerusalem Pilgrims before the Crusades, Warminster, 2002