We’ve all seen shows and movies and read stories about pirates, right? But how much of it was fiction, and how much was actually true? In this article, we’ll uncover over 30 incredible, 100% true facts about pirates that might surprise you. From hidden treasures to strange habits, let’s dive into the real world of pirates and see just how much you know about them.
The Value of a Map
Pirates weren’t just after gold, silver, and other treasures like the books will have you believe — they also hunted valuable maps. In 1680, pirates stole what would forever be known as the most valuable pirate booty in the world, which contained important navigational maps, charts, and descriptions.
Pirate Bartholomew Sharpe created an English version of this Spanish atlas and gave it to the King of England as a gift. Little did he know that this gift may just have saved him from being executed. What a find!
Captured by Pirates
It seems that not even “famous” people were safe from pirates, with Julius Caesar once being captured by pirates. They asked for a ransom of two talents of silver, but Caesar just laughed and insisted they ask for 50 instead, saying he was worth much more. Of course, the pirates found this very amusing, and while waiting for the ransom, Caesar joked around with them.
He even told them that he would come back to punish them. The pirates thought he was joking, but after being freed, Caesar returned, captured the pirates, and had them all executed.
How to Become a Pirate Captain
Pirate captains weren’t just born into the job — they were elected or chosen by their crew. Pirates ultimately wanted someone brave and smart to lead them into battle. So, the crew would vote for the person they thought was the toughest and best at making these decisions.
But, if a captain wasn’t doing a good job, the crew could vote them out and replace them. Pirate captains had a tricky job keeping their crew safe and happy, or they would quickly find themselves back as a regular pirate again.
