Why was it dangerous to travel long distance in ancient times?

Answer 1

The reasons must have been many. First of all most of the long distance travel would involve treading into unknown regions where hostility towards strangers by the tribal groups inhabiting those lands . The long distance travel would invitably warranted hacking through dense forest where dangerous wild animals lurking or vast deserts with its harsh climatical conditions and lack of drinking water and the possiblity of getting lost in the wilderness was huge.

One may lost a sense of direction since no man-made roads or paths existed nor thre were devices to help find directions.