Many ancient societies had strong "hospitality codes" that called on them to provide for strangers travelling through. (One of the great boasts of biblical characters was their hospitality to strangers. One great condemnation was their mistreatment of strangers.)
Widespread building of inns in ancient societies is associated with the building of roadway systems, esp. by great ancient empires -- originally chiefly for communication and commerce.
The earliest systematic building of commercial accomodations for travellers (inns and the like) can be traced back at least as far as the Persian Empire. The Persian Royal Road -- a highway build by Darius I in the 5th century B.C. -- was built for royal couriers (not to mention armies!) in the far reaches of the empire, as well as for commerce. (The biblical book of Esther reflects its use for royal couriers. ) In fact, this great road, which mostly follows the great SILK Road (hence we see its commercial use) to the Far East. (Some oddities in its location suggest the western part may have been built partly along roads established by the earlier Assyrian Empire, though it is far from clear whether the Assyrian system included any provision of accomodations.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road#Persian_Royal_Road
The trade-purpose of inns along the Persian Royal Road is evident from their very name --caravanserais (or caravanseries)-- that is, they were inns for caravans. Caravanseraism, built around larger courtyards, provided water for animals and washing (sometimes even elaborate baths), and shops to restock supplies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravansarai
see also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_routes
The Roman Empire later developed its own elaborate roadways, with inns to accomodate travellers carefully set all along the way. One apparently new feature of this system was its catering not just to traders or government messengers but to TOURISTS. Well-to-do citizens would follow "the Grand Tour, traveling from the lost city of Troy to the top of the Acropolis in Athens, from the fallen Colossus at Rhodes to the Pyramids of Egypt, ending with the obligatory Nile cruise to the very edge of the Empire."
Interview with Perrottet -"The Original Roman Holiday" http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0303/q_n_a.html
Note that the Roman system of roads and inns extended throughout the Empire. Thus it was under the Romans that the British system of inns, taverns (Latin "tabernia" = "lodgings") and "pub(lic house)s" was first established.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inn
http://www.drinkfocus.com/beer/origin-of-pubs.php
After the fall of Rome, their system of roads and inns fell into disrepair. In the Middle Ages accomodations -- guest houses, hospices, etc-- were first found only at monasteries. But as commerce revived a system and pilgrimages grew in popularity monasteries, guilds and private entrepreneurs established many new commercial lodgings.
http://www.countrylovers.co.uk/fun/histpubs.htm
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9042442?hook=25114
2006-06-19 07:32:11
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answer #1
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answered by bruhaha 7
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There has been a need for short term accommodation for as long as people have travelled and traded.
2006-06-15 01:46:58
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answer #2
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answered by iansand 7
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