Have you ever dreamed of visiting the Great Pyramid of Giza, partying in Italy, or vacationing on a Greek island? If so, you might have something in common with the ancient Romans.
Tourism was generally only available to the Roman upper class, who had the means and time to finance it. Many were inspired to travel by the Roman idea. otium — a term that referred to time spent in contemplation in nature. In contrast negotium, Originally describing the general bustle of city life, the word later came to denote free time that could be used for spiritual, creative, and intellectual development. According to architect Rem Koolhaas, otium represented "a kind of intellectual state… a striving for the all-round development of the individual.".
Inspired by this ideal, many ancient Romans used travel as a means of personal development. Some travelers made pilgrimages to visit specific teachers, healers, or religious sites. Others visited historical sites, as many of us do today.
The wealthiest Romans usually traveled in horse-drawn carriages called raedami , which were similar to stagecoaches. Transportation became easier and relatively safer in the first century AD thanks to the Pax Romana, a period of peace beginning with the reign of Emperor Augustus around 27 BC.
By 300 CE, more than 53,000 miles of roads and numerous sea routes had been built throughout the empire, making travel more accessible, though bandits and pirates were always a danger. Travelers often stayed at private inns or state-run roadside shelters reserved for Roman officials before reaching their destinations.
- Troy
- Temples of Asclepius
- The Delphic Oracle
- Pyramids of Giza
- Greek Islands
- Olympic Games
- Bayeux
- Baths of Aqua Sulis
Troy
Inspired by the descriptions of the city of Troy in "« Homer's Iliad, Many tourists wanted to see the ruins of this place with their own eyes - just as many of us today dream of visiting filming locations «Odyssey» Christopher Nolan.
By the 7th century BC, the Anatolian city of Ilion became associated with Troy and became a popular vacation spot. Among its visitors was Alexander the Great, who, according to historians, anointed himself with oil and ran naked around the supposed burial site of Achilles, a common custom at the time.
Roman builders worked to make the site attractive to travelers, restoring ruined walls and creating landmarks inspired by Homer's works. According to archaeologist C. Brian Rose of the University of Pennsylvania, the site became a kind of "Homeric Disneyland.".
Temples of Asclepius
Some may consider wellness tourism a modern phenomenon, but in fact, this type of tourism existed on the itineraries of the Romans and their ancestors thousands of years ago. Wealthy and influential Romans often visited places dedicated to healing both body and spirit, and one of the most popular destinations for such journeys were the temples of Asclepius.
In Greek mythology, Asclepius was a physician and surgeon who treated soldiers during the Trojan War. His cult arose between the sixth and fourth centuries BC and led to the creation of Asclepieia—places that served as some of the first hospitals.
These centers were typically located in quiet, picturesque places, and their early healing methods primarily involved invoking the gods for healing. Visitors often came to pay homage to various deities and participated in purification rituals such as fasting and physical exercise. Afterward, they spent the night in the temples, where they performed purification rites and awaited healing, which they hoped would occur in their sleep.
Over time, more scientifically based medical methods came to be used at Asclepius. By the second century CE, the Roman Emperor Antoninus funded the reconstruction of various temples of Asclepius, including the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus in the Peloponnese, Greece. Ancient Romans often visited this site to seek cures for a variety of ailments, from blindness to prolonged pregnancy, relying on both science and faith. However, these sanctuaries were gradually closed around the fourth century CE due to the spread of Christianity, which led to opposition to the pagan cult.
The Delphic Oracle
Situated on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, near the Gulf of Corinth, the Oracle of Delphi was the most prominent oracle of the ancient world. According to legend, the oracle was originally created by Mother Earth, or Gaia, but was later either taken or given to the Greek god Apollo.
Leaders from all over the ancient world came to seek advice from the Delphic Pythia herself, a priestess who was over 50 years old and was believed to have a direct connection with Apollo.
Delphi was conquered by the Aetolians in the 3rd century BC and remained in their hands until 191 BC, when it was captured by the Romans. Afterward, many important Romans visited the site for advice, including the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who visited the oracle twice during his reign and provided financial support. Other famous Roman visitors include Cicero, who is said to have asked the oracle how to achieve greatness; the oracle famously advised him to rely on his own nature rather than the opinions of others.
The oracle's prophecies were available not only to emperors, and many ancient Romans journeyed to Delphi for insight and guidance. However, ancient Roman leaders often avoided the long journey and instead consulted the Sibylline Books—a collection of prophetic texts kept in the temple and carefully guarded by the Romans.
Pyramids of Giza
For the ancient Romans, Egypt was considered an exotic and exciting destination, and tourism in the region flourished after Augustus annexed the territory in 30 BC. Many ancient Romans visited Egyptian attractions that are still popular today, including the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Nile River.
Apparently, some of these ancient tourists were quite disrespectful, as traces of graffiti left by Roman visitors have been preserved on several ancient monuments, including the Giza Pyramid itself. Some left inscriptions that may seem strikingly familiar, such as the predictable "Apollonius was here." Travelers are also known to have brought back souvenirs and memorabilia from Egypt, such as vases with Egyptian symbols.
Greek Islands
Today, Greek islands like Santorini and Mykonos are fabulous travel destinations that continue to attract countless visitors. They likely held a similar appeal for the ancient Romans, who frequently visited various islands for recreation and study.
Rhodes was a popular choice for those seeking to broaden their horizons, and Tiberius, Julius Caesar, and Cicero are known to have spent time there, studying rhetoric and philosophy and enjoying the ocean views. Samothrace, long renowned for its mystical cult centered on the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, became a free city under Roman rule, and was visited by Roman consuls and the elite eager to participate in secret rites.
Olympic Games
Today, anyone can attend the Olympic Games—provided they have a lot of money, connections, or luck. However, initially, the Olympic Games were open only to Greek men from the Greek city-states. Later, the Games became open to citizens of Rome, who began attending both as spectators and participants.
During the Roman Empire, the Romans began funding the Games. They also introduced some changes, sponsoring improvements to the bathing facilities and, reportedly, providing clean drinking water for the first time in the history of the Games. The Olympic Games attracted huge crowds of spectators, and by Roman times, the training grounds at Olympia had become tourist attractions visited year-round.
Bayeux
For ancient Romans, a vacation didn't always mean a trip somewhere far away. One popular vacation spot was the resort town of Baia, located on the Bay of Naples. Built over thermal springs, the town was visited by figures such as Nero, Cicero, and Caesar, and some members of the Roman elite even built summer homes there. Ancient sources described it as a place where wealthy people would party all day long, indulging in various whims and vices, turning it into a kind of ancient Las Vegas.
«"We have traces of these huge, luxurious rooms where parties must have been held constantly," said archaeologist Enrico Gallocchio. The Guardian newspaper . «"One can imagine that during the summer holidays this was a place where the Roman nobility could indulge in unbridled fun.".
Baths of Aqua Sulis
The ancient Romans adored hot springs. Most Roman cities had their own baths, but they were also willing to travel for them, and many traveled as far as the modern-day English city of Bath to bathe.
Founded in the first century CE, the Aquae Sulis baths were one of the first baths outside of Rome. They took their name from Sulis, a Celtic goddess associated with healing springs, whom the Romans associated with the Roman goddess Minerva. Romans often made pilgrimages there to make offerings to the goddess, and some believed the baths' waters provided a direct connection with the world of the gods. Some used the baths for more mundane purposes as well; many preferred to spend some time in the baths' gymnasium before relaxing their tired muscles in the hot water.