Sea Travel In The Ancient World

During Miriam’s time, there were no ships expressly for passengers. Rather they booked passage on a grain ship. In The Deadliest Lie, Miriam’s twin brother Binyamin travels to Rome on a grain ship for the first leg of his journey to Capua to train as a gladiator in the school Spartacus made famous.

Binyamin’s sponsor explains:

Like most of the passengers, you will sleep on the deck. The ship will supply only water and a hearth in the galley for you to use after the crew has finished. I’ll supply a tent to shelter you along with a mattress and bedding. I’ll order your shipboard provisions for eating, bathing, even shitting, and I’ll arrange for everything to be loaded onto your ship. Then I’ll have your supplies replenished in Crete and again in Malta. Once you get to the Roman port of Ostia, I’ll advance the funds to outfit you, hire a mule and carriage to take you to Capua, and stay at inns along the way.

Of course, Benjamin’s sponsor warns him of the risks too. You’ll find out about those next week.