http://www.piratesinfo.com/fact/pirate.html

Some interesting facts on Pirates. Pirate ships were democratic institutions. The Captain of any ship was a supreme leader only during battle. In other events the Master was the leader. Captains could be deposed by their crew at any time.

The pirate flag was called a Jolly Roger and were flown according to the intention of the crew. If quarter was to be given a black flag was flown. If no quarter was given a red flag was flown.

The skull and crossbones were the symbol of piracy but this symbol originated with the knights of the Templers, a religious order of knights which operated during the crusades. So successful and powerful were these knights that the church suppressed them.

Today, with the existance of modern Navies to protect shipping, Piracy has ceased to exist except in regions like south east asia where legal authorities are corrupt or unable to enforce maritine laws.

Arrrrr pirates rule.

Have you ever read Cities of the Red Night by William Burroughs, Criminal? Aside from al the sex and drugs the premise is that a group of Pirates are seeking to esthablish a working serious of autonomous communities under an anarcho-libertarian model and break the grip of the oppressive imperial powers.

The pinacle of pirate mythology is the colony of Libertatia, the existance of which is shrouded in myth. Supposedly it was a smal pirate colony in Madagascar comitted to freeing men from bondage to slavery and tyranny but it was eventually sacked by the natives.

Originally posted by CodyChaos
Arrrrr pirates rule.

Have you ever read Cities of the Red Night by William Burroughs, Criminal? Aside from al the sex and drugs the premise is that a group of Pirates are seeking to esthablish a working serious of autonomous communities under an anarcho-libertarian model and break the grip of the oppressive imperial powers.

The pinacle of pirate mythology is the colony of Libertatia, the existance of which is shrouded in myth. Supposedly it was a smal pirate colony in Madagascar comitted to freeing men from bondage to slavery and tyranny but it was eventually sacked by the natives.
No I havent. I think Burroughs is a brilliant writer. I will definately check it out.

I did hear about the pirate colony of Madagascar. I find that story very interesting. Do you know where I can find out more about that?

thats great...

Piracy...just thing, we will have space pirates soon enough. :)

Originally posted by Manu
thats great...

Piracy...just thing, we will have space pirates soon enough. :)
There are already air pirates and cyber pirates so why not space pirates. I find it interesting how the subject of piracy has arroused so much romantic liturature, an yet in the days of old pirates were a real menace to trade and commerce, not to mention to the lives of many seamen. I found the symbolism of piracy particularly interesting. Especially that they used the skull and crossbones and how this has become the universal symbol for death.