Travel by Land in Ancient Greece

Travel by land in ancient Greece was difficult. Roads were nothing more than dirt paths that were dry and dusty during the summer and muddy during the winters. Some roads were cut with ruts so that the wheels of carts could roll within them. The ruts were a standard size, so only carts with a specific size of wheelbase were able to travel on the roads. Roads were very expensive so they were rarely built, and then only on the most traveled routes. When a large amount of goods was needed to be transported, water transportation was used instead.

Rich people could rent or own horses for travel. Poor people rode donkeys or walked from place to place. Oxen were used for heavy loads, while horses pulled light loads. Farmers typically transported their goods short distances to town on mules.