Why you go someplace is less important than just going (with Tony Perrottet)

“For ancient Roman tourists, the whole point of travel was to go where everyone else was going. Sightseeing was a form of pilgrimage.” –Tony Perrottet

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Tony discuss the habits idiosyncrasies of ancient Roman tourists, and how they relate to modern travel (1:30); the class tensions and expectations inherent in different types of modern and historical travelers, and how the “unexpected” affects these journeys (17:00); the appeal of Egypt to both ancient and modern tourists (22:30); how mythic ages can be a prism through which to see a place (33:00); how travel and geographical endeavor is an important task for a historian (44:30); and how the experience of travel has and hasn’t changed over the years (55:30).

Tony Perrottet (@TonyPerrottet) is the author of six books, including Pagan Holiday: On the Trail of Ancient Roman Tourists; The Sinner’s Grand Tour: A Journey Through the Historical Underbelly of Europe; and The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Greek Games.

Notable Links:

• The Nomadic Network book club (online events with Rolf)
• Vagabond’s Way sweepstakes (online giveaway)
• Yousuf Karsh (Canadian photographer)
• Petra (ancient Nabataean city in Jordan)
• Troy (ancient city in modern-day Turkey)
• Grand Tour (travel rite from 17th-19th centuries)
• Explorer’s Club (professional society in New York)
• Lionel Casson (historian who wrote on ancient Rome)
• Ludwig Friedländer (scholar who wrote on ancient Rome)
• Wenamun (ancient Egyptian traveler)
• Appian Way (ancient Roman road)
• Gladiator (2000 film)
• Sultan Hotel (Rolf’s favorite hostel in Cairo)
• Valley of the Kings (ancient tomb complex in Egypt)
• Felucca (Mediterranean sailing boat)
• Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards
• Belle Époque (period of French history)
• Giacomo Casanova (Italian adventurer)
• Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German poet)
• Theseus (mythical Athenian king)
• Nero (Roman emperor)
• Ephesus (ancient Greek city)
• The ancient Greek Olympics (Deviate episode)
• Sagas of Icelanders (medieval narratives)
• Alhambra (Islamic-era fortress in Spain)
• Souvenir (book by Rolf Potts)
• True Cross (crucifixion cross sought by medieval pilgrims)
• Holy Prepuce (foreskin sought by medieval pilgrims)
• Paris Writing Workshops (Rolf’s writing classes)

The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.

Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.