Changes

The name originally derived from the Greek words ''πεῖρα'' (''peíra''; "experience") and ''πειράομαι'' (''peiráomai''; "I'm working" or "I attempt"), which implicitly means they would "try their luck", and hence the word ''πειρατής'' (''peiratís''; “pirate”).   

The name originally derived from the Greek words ''πεῖρα'' (''peíra''; "experience") and ''πειράομαι'' (''peiráomai''; "I'm working" or "I attempt"), which implicitly means they would "try their luck", and hence the word ''πειρατής'' (''peiratís''; “pirate”).   

Several other words have been used to describe pirates.  Dutch settlers in the Caribbean during the mid-16th century used the word ''vrijbuit'' to describe one who plunders, and from where the English word "freebooter" is derived<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freebooter</ref>. The familiar "buccaneer" was used during piracy's "golden age"; the French coined the word ''boucanier'' from a native Tupi word ''boucan'' to describe someone on the islands who set up a wooden frame to smoke meat<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buccaneer</ref>. The word "corsair"<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corsair</ref> is French and has originally been used in reference to a "[[privateer]]", yet it was applied especially to the Muslim pirates who operated on behalf of the [[Barbary States]] of North Africa.

Several other words have been used to describe pirates.  Dutch settlers in the Caribbean during the mid-16th century used the word ''vrijbuit'' to describe one who plunders, and from where the English word "freebooter" is derived.<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freebooter</ref>  The familiar "buccaneer" was used during piracy's "golden age"; the French coined the word ''boucanier'' from a native Tupi word ''boucan'' to describe someone on the islands who set up a wooden frame to smoke meat.<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buccaneer</ref>  The word "corsair"<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corsair</ref> is French and has originally been used in reference to a "[[privateer]]", yet it was applied especially to the Muslim pirates who operated on behalf of the [[Barbary States]] of North Africa.

==History==

==History==

===Ancient times===

===Ancient times===

The earliest references to piracy are dated to the so-called [[Sea Peoples]] of 1278-1176 B.C<ref>http://www.ancient.eu/Sea_Peoples/</ref>. Their actual identity still unknown today, they raided and plundered coastal areas throughout much of the Mediterranean.  An Egyptian record (Tanis Stele II) has them making an attempt to take the fertile Nile river delta area, but are soundly defeated in battle, with some of the prisoners incorporated into the Egyptian army<ref>http://www.minoanatlantis.com/Origin_Sea_Peoples.php</ref>.

The earliest references to piracy are dated to the so-called [[Sea Peoples]] of 1278-1176 B.C.<ref>http://www.ancient.eu/Sea_Peoples/</ref>  Their actual identity still unknown today, they raided and plundered coastal areas throughout much of the Mediterranean.  An Egyptian record (Tanis Stele II) has them making an attempt to take the fertile Nile river delta area, but are soundly defeated in battle, with some of the prisoners incorporated into the Egyptian army.<ref>http://www.minoanatlantis.com/Origin_Sea_Peoples.php</ref>  

Among these seafaring ancient peoples were the Cilicians, who have been described to be "about the most bloodthirsty people in the world" by the Roman biographer Plutarch of Chaeronea (46 - c.120 A.D.)<ref>http://www.livius.org/sources/content/plutarch/plutarchs-caesar/caesar-and-the-pirates/</ref>. These people would routinely take trading vessels within the Aegean sea and enslave the crews; the slaves in turn would more often than not be sold to the Romans, who needed them to work their plantations.  For a time Rome tolerated the practice due to the need for slaves as well as being preoccupied several times by war with Mithridates IV of Pontus, with the Cilicians taking full advantage of it.  But the response of [[Julius Caesar]] to his kidnappers - he not only mocked his captors, but had them captured and crucified soon after he was freed - and several campaigns - with one famously led by Vatia and [[Pompey]] - helped put an end to piracy there by 63 B.C.<ref>http://www.livius.org/articles/people/cilician-pirates/?</ref>

Among these seafaring ancient peoples were the Cilicians, who have been described to be "about the most bloodthirsty people in the world" by the Roman biographer Plutarch of Chaeronea (46 - c.120 A.D.).<ref>http://www.livius.org/sources/content/plutarch/plutarchs-caesar/caesar-and-the-pirates/</ref>  These people would routinely take trading vessels within the Aegean sea and enslave the crews; the slaves in turn would more often than not be sold to the Romans, who needed them to work their plantations.  For a time Rome tolerated the practice due to the need for slaves as well as being preoccupied several times by war with Mithridates IV of Pontus, with the Cilicians taking full advantage of it.  But the response of [[Julius Caesar]] to his kidnappers - he not only mocked his captors, but had them captured and crucified soon after he was freed - and several campaigns - with one famously led by Vatia and [[Pompey]] - helped put an end to piracy there by 63 B.C.<ref>http://www.livius.org/articles/people/cilician-pirates/?</ref>

===Middle Ages===

===Middle Ages===

After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, piracy began a rise as [[Viking]]s swept out of Scandinavia, raiding the countries of northern Europe.  In the years they operated (late 8th century - 11th centuries), they sailed to Britain, Russia, Italy, Africa and America, plundering coastal cities and villages, and advertising their presence with the head of a dragon mounted to the prows of their longboats.  Later they would be more settled, engaging in trade relations and discovering Iceland, Greenland, and North America.

After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, piracy began a rise as [[Viking]]s swept out of Scandinavia, raiding the countries of northern Europe.  In the years they operated (late 8th century - 11th centuries), they sailed to Britain, Russia, Italy, Africa and America, plundering coastal cities and villages, and advertising their presence with the head of a dragon mounted to the prows of their longboats.  Later they would be more settled, engaging in trade relations and discovering Iceland, Greenland, and North America.

In the late Middle Ages, the seas of Northern Europe had pirates from all countries robbing ships and coastal towns, and often on the orders of their rulers.  These were the first privateers, in which a privately-owned ship was given a commission to engage in warfare against the enemy.  Yet raids by pirates continued to the point where leading merchants and ship owners created a trade and political alliance for mutual protection called the [[Hanseatic League]] in the 14th century, which largely contributed to eradicate piracy in that area.

In the late Middle Ages, the seas of Northern Europe had pirates from all countries robbing ships and coastal towns, and often on the orders of their rulers.  These were the first privateers, in which a privately owned ship was given a commission to engage in warfare against the enemy.  Yet raids by pirates continued to the point where leading merchants and ship owners created a trade and political alliance for mutual protection called the [[Hanseatic League]] in the 14th century, which largely contributed to eradicate piracy in that area.

Barbary pirates were subjects of the Muslim areas of North Africa, which was under the protection of the Ottoman Empire.  Looting Christian ships in the Mediterranean, the Muslims considered it a religious war; to the contrary European countries considered them ordinary pirates. The fast galleys they used with their numerous crews easily overpowered opposing ships, and in addition to the loot onboard they sold their crews into slavery or held them for ransom; among them were former Christian pirates, who after the various European wars were left without work and shifted to the ranks of North African corsairs, attacking the ships of their former commanders.

Barbary pirates were subjects of the Muslim areas of North Africa, which was under the protection of the Ottoman Empire.  Looting Christian ships in the Mediterranean, the Muslims considered it a religious war; to the contrary European countries considered them ordinary pirates. The fast galleys they used with their numerous crews easily overpowered opposing ships, and in addition to the loot onboard they sold their crews into slavery or held them for ransom; among them were former Christian pirates, who after the various European wars were left without work and shifted to the ranks of North African corsairs, attacking the ships of their former commanders.

===Golden Age===

===Golden Age===

After the discovery of America in 1492 by Columbus, Spain and Portugal began to create colonies in Central and South America.  The [[Treaty of Tordesillas]] (1494) stipulated that Spain was to be given the lion's share of the New World, which meant that her ships would be filled to the brim with gold and silver stolen from the Aztec and Inca empires.  Due to the sharp increase of Spanish wealth other European countries began to form colonies in the Caribbean, taking advantage of the natural resources of the New World.  The late 16th and early 17th century, parts of the Caribbean became colonies of England, France, the Netherlands, and Denmark, and in one fashion or another these countries were at war with each other or with Spain, and Spanish vessels were extremely tempting targets.  In 1521 two ships carrying a large amount of Hernando Cortez' treasure was seized<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=ALG4cH7lRGEC&pg=PA27&lpg=PA27&dq=1521+ship+capture+pirates&source=bl&ots=QEPD8CZUy7&sig=3snTd_-BVw8EZbqZMtz5i7ugUrA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj00bSsrabUAhXFeSYKHXA3ByoQ6AEIJDAA#v=onepage&q=1521%20ship%20capture%20pirates&f=false</ref>, and by the end of that century Englishmen John Hawkins and Francis Drake had made names for themselves by attacking Spanish colonies to the extent that both men were knighted.  

After the discovery of America in 1492 by Columbus, Spain and Portugal began to create colonies in Central and South America.  The [[Treaty of Tordesillas]] (1494) stipulated that Spain was to be given the lion's share of the New World, which meant that her ships would be filled to the brim with gold and silver stolen from the Aztec and Inca empires.  Due to the sharp increase of Spanish wealth other European countries began to form colonies in the Caribbean, taking advantage of the natural resources of the New World.  The late 16th and early 17th century, parts of the Caribbean became colonies of England, France, the Netherlands, and Denmark, and in one fashion or another these countries were at war with each other or with Spain, and Spanish vessels were extremely tempting targets.  In 1521 two ships carrying a large amount of Hernando Cortez' treasure was seized,<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=ALG4cH7lRGEC&pg=PA27&lpg=PA27&dq=1521+ship+capture+pirates&source=bl&ots=QEPD8CZUy7&sig=3snTd_-BVw8EZbqZMtz5i7ugUrA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj00bSsrabUAhXFeSYKHXA3ByoQ6AEIJDAA#v=onepage&q=1521%20ship%20capture%20pirates&f=false</ref> and by the end of that century Englishmen John Hawkins and Francis Drake had made names for themselves by attacking Spanish colonies to the extent that both men were knighted.  

In the first decades of the 17th century, a group of people from Europe (mostly French) settled on the island of Hispaniola.  They were called buccaneers, and eager for better profits than that gained from provisioning ships with their smoked meat, they set out to sea to attack Spanish ships.  The buccaneers were were successful in the period from 1640 to 1680, having made strongholds on Tortuga Island in 1640 and the town of Port Royal on the island of Jamaica in 1655, and slowly merging with pirates in general.  What emerged from these men was the classical period of piracy known as the Golden Age.

In the first decades of the 17th century, a group of people from Europe (mostly French) settled on the island of Hispaniola.  They were called buccaneers, and eager for better profits than that gained from provisioning ships with their smoked meat, they set out to sea to attack Spanish ships.  The buccaneers were successful in the period from 1640 to 1680, having made strongholds on Tortuga Island in 1640 and the town of Port Royal on the island of Jamaica in 1655, and slowly merging with pirates in general.  What emerged from these men was the classical period of piracy known as the Golden Age.

It was during this period that thousands of pirates swarmed the oceans, swearing allegiance to no one, and making war on everyone.  The prospect of gaining wealth rather quickly would entice anyone to desert ship or country to go "on the account" as many put it, and from these men rose many who gain fame to their crews or infamy to the courts.  Men like Henry Every, who seized such a large fortune from the Mogul of India that he could later state he could pay off the national debt of England in exchange for a pardon; John Rackam, whose taste for finery led to his nickname "Calico Jack", but whose fame rested with his romance of one of the very few female pirates in history, Anne Bonney; Bartholomew Roberts, who amassed in excess of 400 ship captures; or the foul Blackbeard, who took prizes without a fight simply by appearing as an apparition from hell, and giving the world the stereotypical image of what pirates looked like.  

It was during this period that thousands of pirates swarmed the oceans, swearing allegiance to no one, and making war on everyone.  The prospect of gaining wealth rather quickly would entice anyone to desert ship or country to go "on the account" as many put it, and from these men rose many who gain fame to their crews or infamy to the courts.  Men like Henry Every, who seized such a large fortune from the Mogul of India that he could later state he could pay off the national debt of England in exchange for a pardon; John Rackam, whose taste for finery led to his nickname "Calico Jack", but whose fame rested with his romance of one of the very few female pirates in history, Anne Bonney; Bartholomew Roberts, who amassed in excess of 400 ship captures; or the foul Blackbeard, who took prizes without a fight simply by appearing as an apparition from hell, and giving the world the stereotypical image of what pirates looked like.