The pirate has always captured our imagination with his wooden leg and his parrot . These sea outlaws have marked history throughout the centuries, from the ancient world to the present day. This article is not an encyclopedia, we will explore the history of pirates, their daily lives, the ships they used, as well as some famous characters. Then, we will ask ourselves the question that no one asks! Where do Steampunk Pirates come from? but first let's answer the chestnuts...
Who is the most famous pirate?
The most famous pirate is probably Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Active in the early 18th century with his ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, this pirate terrorized merchant ships and colonies in the Caribbean Sea, North America and Central America. His reputation as a bloodthirsty and ruthless pirate has earned him an important place in the collective imagination and popular culture.
Who are the 5 most famous pirates in history?
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Blackbeard (Edward Teach) : As previously mentioned, Blackbeard is arguably the most famous pirate of all time. Active in the early 18th century, he was feared for his brutality and cunning.
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William Kidd (Captain Kidd) : This 17th-century Scottish pirate has long been considered one of the most infamous pirates in history. However, some historians question his reputation as a bloodthirsty pirate and instead consider him a privateer who was the victim of slander.
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Anne Bonny : This Irish pirate woman sailed alongside her lover, Calico Jack, in the Caribbean in the early 18th century. Far from the young girls of the time, she was known for her bravery and fiery temperament.
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Mary Read : Like Anne Bonny, Mary Read was a female pirate who operated in the Caribbean during the 18th century. Disguised as a man for much of her life, she eventually joined Anne Bonny and Calico Jack's crew. The two women were close friends and are often associated with each other in tales of piracy.
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Calico Jack (John Rackham) : This early 18th century British pirate is famous for having commanded a crew that included Anne Bonny and Mary Read. He is also known for creating the pirate flag with the skull and crossbones, an emblematic symbol of sea brigandage .
Other most famous pirates

Jean Lafitte
Jean Lafitte was the name of a French pirate who settled in Louisiana. This adventurer played an important role in the defense of New Orleans during the War of 1812 between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Francois l'Olonnais
François l'Olonnais was a French pirate infamous for his cruelty. He operated mainly in the Caribbean, attacking Spanish ships and colonies.
Sir Henry Morgan
Sir Henry Morgan was a Welsh pirate who served as a privateer for England. He became a national hero and was even knighted.
What is the goal of a pirate?
The primary goal of a pirate is usually to enrich themselves by raiding and plundering merchant ships, colonies, or other lucrative targets. The pirate seeks treasure, valuable goods, and other valuable goods that they can then sell or trade on the black market. In addition to personal enrichment, some pirates are also motivated by a desire for freedom and adventure, as well as a desire to defy the authorities and maritime powers of the time. It is also important to note that motivations can vary from pirate to pirate, and it is difficult to generalize about pirates throughout history.
Did pirates really exist?
Yes, they really did exist. Piracy is a phenomenon that has spanned history, with pirates operating in different regions of the world and at different times. The most famous pirates, such as Blackbeard, Anne Bonny and William Kidd, sailed mainly in the 17th and 18th centuries during what is known as the Golden Age of Piracy. However, it was not limited to this period, and acts of war and pillage have been recorded as far back as ancient times, with pirates operating in the Mediterranean and elsewhere.
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Today, modern piracy continues to exist in some parts of the world, including off the coast of Somalia and in other high-risk maritime areas where ship raiding continues. Modern pirates use fast boats and firearms to attack merchant ships, yachts, and other vulnerable vessels, with motivations and methods that have evolved from those of their historical predecessors.
Brief History of Pirates
Ancient Pirate
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Greek Pirates: This dates back to ancient times, with Greek pirates plying the Mediterranean. They often used oars to move quickly and raid enemy ships and shores.
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Roman Pirates: They were also present in the Mediterranean. They attacked merchant ships and disrupted trade routes, which led to several conflicts between Rome and the pirates.
The Golden Age of Piracy and the Pirates of the Caribbean
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The Caribbean: The Golden Age of Piracy spanned the 17th to early 18th centuries. During this period, Caribbean pirates were particularly active and feared. They took advantage of rivalries between colonial powers to attack merchant ships and colonies.
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Barbary Pirates: The Barbary Pirates, based in North Africa, were also very active during the Golden Age of Piracy. They terrorized European shipping in the Mediterranean and were often hired by Muslim powers to raid Christian shipping.
Modern Pirate
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Somali Piracy: This continues to exist today, especially off the coast of Somalia. Somali pirates attack merchant ships to demand ransoms in exchange for the release of crews and cargo.
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Cyber Piracy: This is another modern phenomenon that uses the computer network or radio, pirate or hacker using it to steal . Cyber hackers use digital tactics and tools to commit crimes such as identity theft, hacking of computer systems and extortion.
The Pirate Ship
Pirate Sails and Cannons
Pirate ships were usually equipped with sails for speed and cannons for firepower. These ships needed to be fast and maneuverable to pursue and capture other merchant ships.
Fast Pirate Ship
Like any good sea scum, French pirates preferred light and fast ships like schooners or brigantines, capable of hunting slower prey.
Ghost Pirate Ships
Some pirates used camouflaged privateers or "ghost ships" to surprise their victims. These ships were painted black and flew deceptive flags to sneak up on merchant ships.
Pirates' Life
Daily life of a pirate
Life aboard a pirate ship was often difficult, with buccaneers having to be ready day and night . Conditions were harsh and discipline severe at all ages . However, pirates sometimes enjoyed a certain freedom and camaraderie, compared to the crews of the Royal Navy.
Hierarchy on board and recruitment of a pirate
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There was a hierarchy on board pirate ships, with the captain at the head, followed by the quartermaster and other officers. Pirates, however, often had more rights and freedoms than regular sailors.
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Key roles aboard a pirate ship included the captain, quartermaster, master gunner, boatswain and ship's doctor.
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Pirates recruited their crews in a variety of ways: some joined piracy voluntarily to escape poverty or oppression, while others were captured and forced to serve on board.
Sharing the loot and pirate code
Pirates had a code of conduct for sharing the spoils like any other thief. Shares were generally fair, with a larger share going to the captain and officers. Wounded pirates also received compensation.
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The most famous pirate hunters
The corsair, the "legal" pirate
Privateers were pirates who acted under the authority of a government, attacking enemy ships in times of war. They had an important role in combating piracy. Most government-sponsored piracy ended in the Victorian era .
Her Majesty's Navy Captains
Regular navy captains were often tasked with tracking down and capturing pirates. Many pirates were hanged after being captured by naval forces.
Anti-piracy treaties
Over time, nations have signed treaties to combat commercial piracy. These treaties aimed to establish rules and penalties to stop the pirates' activities.
The Repentant Buccaneer
Some pirates have managed to escape justice by repenting their actions and joining government forces to fight piracy.
Pirates and steampunk
Steampunk is a literary, artistic and cultural genre that combines science fiction, fantasy and Victorian aesthetics. The steam age and complex machines are key elements of this universe. Pirates and steampunk come together in certain works and representations, creating a rich and fascinating universe. This article explores the common aspects between these two universes and how they combine to offer captivating stories and creations.
Piracy and steampunk are two worlds that marry perfectly, offering captivating stories and colorful characters. Whether through airborne ships, mechanical inventions, or conflicts and alliances, steampunk pirates offer an original and fascinating vision of the point of view of piracy. This alliance continues to inspire authors, filmmakers and creators around the world, contributing to the enrichment of these imaginary universes.
So while piracy existed in the 19th century, which gave it some inspiration for Steampunk , we amplified the romantic vision of the pirate in worldbuilding and outfits. The steampunk movement loves to add fantasy , behold the simple ships transformed into zeppelins and the pirates who equip themselves with technology so much more ambitious than their simple wooden legs and stuttering parrots.
The marriage between pirate and steampunk style
Pirate Airships: One of the most iconic aspects of the steampunk universe is the presence of airships, which are often used as equivalents to traditional pirate ships. These flying vessels are powered by steam and equipped with complex weapons and mechanical devices. They provide a rich playground for stories of aerial piracy and spectacular boardings.
The Steampunk Pirate: In the steampunk universe, pirates are often depicted with elements typical of classic piracy (bandanas, eye patches, etc.), but they also wear Victorian costumes and mechanical accessories, such as prosthetic arms or legs. These colorful characters lead lives of adventure and rebellion against the established order, just like traditional pirates.
Steampunk inventions and gadgets: The steampunk universe is full of inventions and gadgets that enrich pirate stories. There are firearms with elaborate mechanisms, pocket watches with multiple functions, and machines with surprising capabilities. These objects bring a touch of originality and fantasy to the adventures of steampunk pirates.
Conflicts and Alliances: In pirate and steampunk stories, conflicts and alliances are often the basis of the plots. Pirates may stand against totalitarian empires, rogue corporations, or rival factions. They may also form alliances with characters from diverse backgrounds, such as inventors, adventurers, or revolutionaries.
So why do steampunk pirates look like they came out of the 17th century?

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In many ways, piracy is the " Wild West " of Europe, in that it has been heavily romanticized and the popular conception of what it was is today much more fiction than fact.
Obviously, the airship pirate never existed in real life, because we never really experienced the age of airships as we imagine it in the Steampunk Universe .
Yet when we imagine a pirate in an airship, their outfits are usually based on the kind of looks we see in classic pirates as depicted in Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island", as that is the closest analogy to an air pirate.
In particular, the inspiration for the steampunk pirate "look" seems to draw on styles popularized in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, well before the 19th century, when Steampunk took root and drew its style.
Why do we draw inspiration primarily from the golden age of piracy?
This is largely due to the power of the atmosphere and the change of scenery. Like the Wild West or the post-apocalyptic , this pirate universe has been romanticized. A universe where the pirate makes us dream through legends and epic historical facts. We quickly dream of adventures, treasures, getting lost in the immensity of the ocean, visiting its mysterious islands and its titanic sea monsters.
You may not know this, but in the Wild West, the publishers of pulp fiction published Western novels. They didn't even wait for history to take them away from the dirty reality, because they didn't have to. Communications from the West to the East were pretty scarce back then, so the West might as well have been the "exotic Orient" to people living on the East Coast of the United States.
In fact, you may not have thought about it, but the distance from the East Coast of the United States to the Western border (depending on where you draw the line) is about the same as the distance from England to Turkey. Turkey, which was considered "the East" for a while. So it's no surprise that we've seen Wild West stories pop up around the same time as "Eastern" tales.
Works and universes where pirate world and steampunk meet
Several literary, cinematographic and video game works combine the pirate and steampunk universes. Notable examples include:
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The movie "Sky Pirates" : This 1986 Australian adventure film features air pirates in an alternate world dominated by steam technology.
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The Wardstone Chronicles series of novels by Joseph Delaney : In this children's series, the characters sail on flying ships, and pirates are a central element of the plot.
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Video games like "Guns of Icarus" : This online game features airship combat in a steampunk universe. Players can take on the role of air pirates and battle other crews for supremacy in the skies.
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Joe Benitez's "Lady Mechanika" comic : This series features a heroine with bionic limbs in a Victorian steampunk universe. Pirates play an important role and are equipped with advanced technology.
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The novel "The Alchemist of the Moons" by Jay Lake : This book mixes piracy and steampunk in a world where magic and science coexist. Pirates are key players in the plot and evolve in an environment rich in inventions and steam engines.
After all, there are tons of movies and images depicting a Golden Age pirate, but there are almost none depicting a 19th century pirate. Come to think of it, the first pirate in literature to own a flying ship must have been in 1902, the novelist JM Barrie who created Peter Pan and of course his nemesis, Captain Hook.
Then Jules Verne, who inspires travel and adventure, brings the world of the seas, with his Captain Nemo, closer to the steampunk movement which has since taken hold of the author and his universe.
It is therefore not surprising that Steampunk draws its inspiration from these universes where the pirate is king! Visit the shop's homepage to buy your clothes and accessories or just get more ideas. See you soon steamers for a new article.