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PIRATES. History and Myth. Real Pirate History. Pirates existed in 1200 BC – Greek Empire Pirates came from all over - Europe, Africa, Asia, and (later in time) the Americas Pirates had many names: Seafaring Thieves, Corsairs, Privateers, Buccaneers, Wokou, etc.
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PIRATES History and Myth
Real Pirate History • Pirates existed in 1200 BC – Greek Empire • Pirates came from all over - Europe, Africa, Asia, and (later in time) the Americas • Pirates had many names: Seafaring Thieves, Corsairs, Privateers, Buccaneers, Wokou, etc. • Pirates would steal anything (not just gold) • Pirates were criminals and most of them died young either in battle or from horrible diseases • 17th and 18th centuries were the “Golden Age”
How do Pirates fit in with the Colonial Period? • Golden Age 1690-1725 • More sea travel with colonies • Trading- ships with more valuable cargo to plunder • Pirates use Caribbean as a place of refuge • Europe sent sea robbers to plunder ships of colonial rivals • When colonial policies change buccaneers don’t have an income and become illegal pirates • America paid tributes to pirates • Blackbeard raided along the coast of the southern colonies • Pirates and rumors of pirates haunted the southern coast • In March 1719 13 pirates were hung in Williamsburg
More Than Just a Flag • There are dozens of different pirate flags • Each different flag has a special meaning • Pirates sometimes didn’t use their flags or used other nations’ flags to deceive their prey • Flags could serve as a warning or as an invitation
Water Wars • Most pirates were so intimidating that the merchant ships wouldn’t put up a fight • In the East (Asia) Pirates had whole fleets of ships that fought against each other • In the West (Europe) Pirates would pick off their prey one by one • Pirates had their own rules of engagement, but would break them frequently
Superstitious Pirates • Sailors in general are usually superstitious, pirates are even worse (paranoia?) • Believed in ghosts and spirits • Would keep items they thought to be lucky • Everything had a meaning: bells, colors of the sunset & sunrise • Women on board a ship was thought to be bad luck (but not always)
Some Real Famous Pirates • Eustance the Monk – 1170-1217 • “Blackbeard” (Edward Teach) – 1680-1718 • “Calico” Jack (Rackham) – ? – 1720 • Mary Read – 1690-1726 • Anne Boony – 1697-? • John Paul Jones – 1747-1792 • Rock Braziliano – 1635-1671 • Sir Francis Drake – 16th century • Francis L’Ollonais – 1635-1668 • Alvida - 6th century • Madame Ching – 1785-1844 • Barbarossa Brothers – 16th century • ZhengZhilong – 1604-1661
Pirate Myths Literature • Captain Sharkley • Peter Pan • Treasure Island Movies • Swiss Family Robinson • Pirates of Penzance • The Princess Bride • Hook • Treasure Planet • Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirate Lingo • Ahoy! - "Hello!" • Avast! - Stop and give attention. It can be used in a sense of surprise, "Whoa! Get a load of that!" which today makes it more of a "Check it out" or "No way!" or "Get off!" • Aye! - "Why yes, I agree most heartily with everything you just said or did." • Aye aye! - "I'll get right on that sir, as soon as my break is over." • Arrr! - This one is often confused with arrrgh, which is of course the sound you make when you sit on a belaying pin. "Arrr!" can mean, variously, "yes," "I agree," "I'm happy," "My team is going to win it all," "I saw that television show, it sucked!" and "That was a clever remark you or I just made." And those are just a few of the myriad possibilities of Arrr!
You be the Pirate • Choose a pirate name • Design a pirate flag • Create a short background story • Be ready to share your own pirate history • Share which colonial city you would raid and why