January/February 2001

Adventures On the Road

by Keith Stump

Multi-lane highways. Roadmaps and road signs. Service stations. Rest stops. Motels. Emergency call boxes. The Highway Patrol. The Auto Club.

The modern traveler has it easy. But in centuries past, travel -- even a seemingly simple journey -- was filled with perils and hardships.

To gain an appreciation of the hazards of travel in the ancient world, let's put ourselves into the sandals of an imaginary traveler of the 1st century A.D. We'll call him Tiro.

Tiro was the favored slave and private secretary to the late Roman senator Servius Cornelius Catulus. Tiro's master had admired his quick mind and devotion to duty, and rewarded him by setting him free in his will. The senator also provided a modest sum for Tiro to travel to the city of Athens, a major center of learning, to further his education.

Like Tiro, we, as Christians, seek a city. The lessons Tiro learned on his journey can provide valuable instruction for us as we journey to our heavenly home, a city whose builder and maker is God.

Tiro Takes a Trip

To avoid the perils of a long sea voyage, Tiro has decided to follow mainly a land route. Though the Roman navy has effectively stamped out piracy, storms and navigational problems make travel by sea a risky proposition, especially with the winter storm season approaching.

Tiro will follow the Appian Way from Rome to Brundisium on the Adriatic coast, a trip of about 360 miles. From there he will sail across the 70-mile-wide Strait of Otranto to Greece, then continue by land to Athens, another 360 miles. The trip -- less than a two-hour flight today -- will take him nearly six weeks.

The Roman road system is remarkable in its extent. From Britain to Egypt, from Gibraltar to the Black Sea, a network of some 50,000 miles of highway links the principal cities of the Mediterranean world and beyond. Straight, wide and level, and surfaced with stone paving blocks, the roads facilitate military deployment, communication and trade.

Now, let's take a look at a few excerpts from Tiro's travel journal:

Day Two

My donkey has died -- and only two days into the journey!

It happened just outside the Forum of Appius, some 40 miles south of Rome. I will now have to walk and carry my baggage upon my back. On donkeyback, I might have made 25 or more miles a day. Now, I'll be lucky to make 15 or 20.

The road from Rome to Capua is jammed with travelers -- army officers on horseback, imperial postal couriers, government magistrates on official business, noblemen seated in sedan chairs and carried on the shoulders of slaves. What a grand panorama!

But I'd do well to do less people-watching and pay more attention to my safety. Today I was nearly run down by a fast four-wheeled raeda [freight wagon] drawn by eight horses.

Day Three

Quid me appellavisti? ("What did you call me?")

Visne aliquid de illo facere? ("You want to make something of it?")

Foras gradiamur. ("Let's step outside.")

And the fight was on!

I have stopped at an inn for the night -- clearly a mistake. The food is bad, the clientele worse. It is filled with drunks, brawlers and cutthroats. And the innkeeper is a swindler.

One of the patrons, feigning to befriend me, has tried to relieve me of the denarii in my money bag. Cautious travelers try to stay with friends or people to whom they have been given introductions, rather than risk a lodging house with strangers. Now I see why!

"My" small room is packed with other guests, as many as the innkeeper could cram in. The bedding is infested with lice and insects. Henceforth, I will sleep under the stars.

Day Nine

Neutiquam erro. ("I am not lost!")

My heart sank at his words, which I knew were false. An acquaintance has led me onto a "shortcut," which has turned out to be full of briars and brambles, perilous ravines and wild animals. And now he's lost!

After zigzagging across the countryside for hours -- and nearly drowning in a fast-moving river -- we have finally been directed by a local shepherd back onto the Appian Way, where I quickly took leave of my erstwhile "guide."

Day Twelve

The stretch between Silvium and Tarentum, I am told, is frequented by bandits. The road is patrolled by Roman troops from detachments stationed along the way, but the soldiers can't be everywhere.

I've had the good fortune to meet a student returning to Athens to resume his education. Hermes is a traveler of some experience, having made this journey twice before. I have already learned much from him about avoiding the perils of the road. I am fortunate for his companionship and advice.

He has advised me that it would be unwise to continue with the heavy burden of my baggage. There will be mountains to climb and rivers to cross. He has offered to carry some of it for me; the rest must be sold or abandoned. I will take only what is essential, lest my progress be hindered.

Perhaps his most valuable contribution, however, has been his encouragement. I had been discouraged by the overwhelming difficulties of the journey. But Hermes finds joy in the trip itself. He has imparted to me a sense of exultation and expectant hope, an inner feeling of well-being, looking ahead with confidence despite the perils. He has filled my mind with the wonders of fabled Athens! It has made me all the more determined to get there.

Day Thirteen

Attacked by bandits! The experienced eye of my companion saw them lying in wait among the trees just ahead. "Cry out for help!" shouted Hermes as we fled. But the bandits were swift of foot. The glint of a bronze blade caught my eye as the fastest of them gained on me. Hermes slowed him with a rock, but he was soon at my heels again.

At the moment when all seemed lost, approaching hoofbeats signaled our salvation. A centurion in silvered armor, with raised sword, rode into the fray, cutting down the armed bandit and putting the others to flight.

I would surely have perished had the full load of my former baggage remained strapped to my back.

Day Nineteen

We've come, at last, to the end of the Via Appia.

The Adriatic port of Brundisium is the best harbor on the east coast of Italy and Rome's chief gateway to Greece. From here we'll cross to the Greek coast.

Cargo ships of all types and sizes engage in short-distance trade up and down the Adriatic coast. Hermes and I have arranged for passage on a square-rigger of some 100 tons capacity. [Passenger vessels did not exist in ancient times. -- Ed.] This heavy, slow-moving cargo vessel will carry us the 70 miles across the Strait of Otranto to Apollonia on the Greek coast. We have purchased provisions -- dried fruit and cheese mainly -- and are waiting to board.

Day Twenty

Aliquid ardet. ("Something's burning.")

Flamma! ("Fire!")

A fire has broken out amidships. The cause: sparks struck from a flint by a careless religious devotee attempting to kindle a censer of ritual incense. Fanned by a stiff sea breeze, the flames have spread to the large, square mainsail. Swift action by the crew, however, has averted disaster.

It's now afternoon. Working against the wind, our original six knots have slowed to a mere two.

As we crawl along under a blazing sun, we enjoy a simple meal with a fellow traveler, a balding Jewish tentmaker with ideas about a strange, new god. [See box. -- Ed.] He speaks with color and conviction, and we continue our conversation well into the night.

Day Twenty-One

After 20 hours, we have finally anchored at Apollonia, though with difficulty on account of contrary winds. Tomorrow Hermes and I will set out southeastward across Greece -- towards Athens!

Though many difficulties surely lie ahead, I look forward to the journey with confidence and anticipation. The adventure continues! We will make it!

Risky Venture

Tiro's journey would have been typical in many ways of the hardships and hazards of travel in the 1st century A.D. Yet, travel in Roman times was considerably easier than in previous centuries and millennia, before Roman roads and the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) united much of the known world.

In Old Testament times, nomadic tribes wandered great distances over alien terrain to find pastures for their cattle, sheep and goats. Eventually, a network of well-worn caravan trails like the Way of the Sea (Via Maris) and the King's Highway linked kingdoms and settlements from one end of the Fertile Crescent to the other.

But travel remained difficult and dangerous. Caravan travel was slow, arduous going, averaging only seven or eight miles a day, due to the children and elderly often making the journey. (On a trek in Genesis 33, Jacob leads on "slowly" so that "the children [are] able to endure." NKJV)

The agile pack donkey carried goods over rough terrain. Oxcarts transported loads that were too heavy for pack animals. Camels were used to cross deserts. But in all cases, the trek was painstakingly slow and uncertain. Moreover, travelers were under constant threat of attack by marauding bands. To travel was to risk one's well-being -- and one's life.

Guiding Principles

As Christians, we are sojourners on a spiritual journey, a journey not without hazards and perils like those described above. We journey to a city, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). It is the heavenly Jerusalem, the Eternal City. It is the destination of all who love and serve God.

From Tiro's experiences, we can glean valuable principles to help us avoid the pitfalls and perils -- or at least minimize the risks -- as we journey through this life to our heavenly home.

1. Stay on the path. The Word of God points the way to our goal. The will of God revealed in the Scriptures provides us with direction in our personal decisions along the way. Regular study of the Bible helps us stay on the straight and narrow path that leads to life.

Never listen to anyone who would woo you away from that path onto shortcuts or detours. Stick to the basics of the faith, the core essentials of Christianity. Keep your eyes focused on the One who is "the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6).

2. Be positive! Attitude is crucial. Don't allow pessimism and discouragement to dominate your life. The Christian way is a way of joy -- even in times of trouble.

Life is full of surprises, some good, some bad. But we can walk in faith. Our minds must be filled with thoughts of the heavenly city and the positive assurance that God will supply all we need to complete the journey.

3. Discard excess baggage. We must take stock of our lives to determine what's important and what isn't. Whatever isn't important is excess baggage. We must "throw off everything that hinders" (Hebrews 12:1).

We need to wisely balance our time and energy. Our burdens include troubles and worries, responsibilities and obligations. If our priorities are distorted, we need to free ourselves of distractions and put God back at the center of our commitments. If we have debilitating problems that just won't go away, we need to seek competent help to free ourselves of them.

Consider where you're going and why -- and what is really needed to complete the trip. And don't neglect to help brothers and sisters who have unusually heavy burdens to bear (Galatians 6:2).

4. Stay alert! Vigilance is crucial. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). The Bible alerts us to the pitfalls and perils common to the Christian journey. Be attentive to them. Don't allow yourself to blunder into dangerous situations. And remember that over confidence about being able to avoid evil is also perilous (1 Corinthians 10:12).

5. Seek wise counsel. Experienced Christians can "show you the ropes" -- help you exercise discernment in issues of faith and spirituality. Seek advice from spiritual friends and leaders, those whose age and experience have brought wisdom and understanding. Look to them for mature council and godly advice and direction. They have been on the journey longer than you have and can help you in many ways. Consider their example, respond to their guidance, imitate their faith. The cause of Christ goes forward when believers are united in their journey.

6. Walk with God. An active, caring God is constantly working on our behalf. He watches over us with diligent care and takes an active part in leading us in the way we should go (Psalm 32:8).

Ask God to go with you on your journey. Talk with him as you walk day by day. He is there to support as well as direct. He is near and able to deliver us, even though our journey takes us "through the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4). He can deliver us from danger and human enemies, as well as from sin and its consequences.

The Christian journey is an adventure! No matter what the perils, we can find reassurance in the fact that God is in control and takes care of those who follow him. Though Christians aren't exempt from suffering, God's grace provides us with the strength -- and even joy -- to see us through our journey. We can look ahead with confidence, knowing that we will ultimately reach our destination.

Best wishes for a successful journey home. It will be worth every mile of the trip! 

Keith Stump is a freelance writer with a special interest in history and archaeology.

The Perils of Paul One of the best-known travelers of the 1st century A.D. was the Apostle Paul. Paul trod Roman roads and sailed Roman seas, carrying the revolutionary message of salvation through Jesus of Nazareth, Savior of the world. Ironically, the Roman infrastructure that enabled rapid military deployment and safe commerce also made possible the spread of Christianity to the far reaches of the Roman Empire. Rome's imperial highways were put to a use never imagined by those who constructed them. Despite Paul's important mission of proclaiming the gospel and establishing churches, his travels were not without frequent troubles and hardships, as he explained to the Corinthians: "Three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from banditsin danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea" (2 Corinthians 11:25-26). Paul's stubborn persistence despite these trials should inspire us to persevere in our individual journeys. Through the power of God in us, we can travel the road of life with confidence, declaring along with Paul: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).

Return to Plain Truth Ministries Home Page