Final answer:
Religious pilgrimages were a key reason for travel in ancient times, with people embarking on long journeys to sacred sites for spiritual devotion and to feel closer to God.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religious pilgrimages were a major reason for travel in ancient times. Individuals would go on long journeys, often enduring harsh conditions, to reach sacred sites that were important to their faith. For example, Muslims are obligated to perform the hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, as it is one of the five pillars of Islam. Similarly, Christians sought to visit sites with relics of saints and the Holy City of Jerusalem, where significant events in the life of Jesus took place. These pilgrimages were acts of piety and spiritual devotion, reflecting the belief that being closer to these holy sites meant being closer to God. The medieval period saw a surge in the popularity of pilgrimage, with many undertaking these journeys in the hope of ensuring salvation and expressing gratitude for life's blessings.