In ancient times, Greek merchants sailed all around the Mediterranean Sea carrying goods from Spain to Phoenicia and from Carthage to Egypt and Italy. Even when trading between Greek towns traders preferred to travel by sea, because the country is so mountainous that transporting things by ox-driven carts, up and down the mountains was extremely challenging.

These sea-faring merchants had a particularly difficult time reaching Athens, especially from the Gulf of Corinth. Those who are not familiar with the geography of this region, here is a map of Greece and the surrounding seas.