ABSTRACT
In the ancient period people travelled for a variety of reasons. Merchants and traders figure prominently in the Geniza papers which provide interesting details of transoceanic travel in the eleventh-twelfth centuries AD, and in early Buddhist sources dated to the beginning of the Christian era (Jatakas, Bk. I, no.4; Bk. X, no. 439; 442; Bk. XI, no. 463, Bk. XVI, no. 518). Also significant were peregrinations of wandering scholars, and pilgrims (Goitein, 1967:42–59). The seeking of knowledge in practically all major religions such as, Islam, Judaism, or Buddhism inspired extensive journeys. In the medieval period Palestine formed the spiritual centre of a diaspora extensively spread over the civilized world of the Mediterranean. Nor was language a barrier in these interchanges. ‘Latin in western Europe, classical Arabic in the countries of Islam, and Hebrew in the Jewish houses of learning everywhere made it possible for foreigners to take part anywhere in classes or even to lead them’ (ibid., p. 52).
