What did pirates do?

1. Raiding and Plundering:

- Pirates primarily attacked merchant ships and vessels carrying valuable cargo, such as spices, silks, gold, and silver.

- They often boarded and seized ships, overpowering the crew and taking the cargo for themselves.

2. Capture of Hostages:

- Pirates often took hostages for ransom, demanding a substantial amount of money from the hostages' families or governments in exchange for their release.

- Hostages were sometimes imprisoned or held on pirate ships until the ransom was paid.

3. Violence:

- Piracy was often accompanied by violence, as pirates needed to overcome resistance from ship crews or passengers.

- They frequently used weapons like swords, pistols, and cannons to subdue their victims.

4. Treasure Hunting:

- Some pirates were motivated by the desire to find buried treasure, inspired by legends and rumors about hidden riches.

- They searched for lost treasure maps or clues that might lead them to valuable locations.

5. Maritime Trade:

- Pirates sometimes traded with legitimate merchants or settlers in coastal towns and islands, exchanging plundered goods for supplies or provisions.

- This allowed them to sustain their activities and replenish their resources.

6. Alliances and Fleets:

- Famous pirates often formed alliances or even commanded entire fleets of pirate ships, increasing their power and influence.

- These alliances allowed pirates to take on larger and more heavily armed merchant vessels or even engage in battles with naval warships.

7. Attacks on Coastal Settlements:

- In some cases, pirates attacked coastal settlements, ransacking towns and villages for valuable goods and supplies.

- These raids involved seizing and plundering buildings, ships, and resources from onshore locations.

8. Privateering and Letters of Marque:

- During times of war, some pirates acted as privateers, commissioned by governments to attack enemy ships and capture prizes.

- Privateers were essentially sanctioned pirates, operating under the legal cover provided by these commissions, known as letters of marque.

9. Establishment of Pirate Havens:

- Pirates established safe havens in secluded islands, bays, and coves, where they could repair their ships, store their plundered goods, and evade pursuit by authorities.

- Famous pirate havens included Tortuga, Port Royal, and Nassau.

10. Cultural Impact:

- The actions of pirates and the myths surrounding them have had a lasting impact on popular culture, literature, folklore, and even modern-day entertainment.

- Pirates have been portrayed in countless books, movies, TV shows, and other forms of media.