Pirate Historian Rates 8 Pirate Battles In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider
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Pirate battles in movies and TV are often exaggerated, focusing on quick attacks and minimal casualties, while real pirates faced common injuries leading to amputations. Negotiations with civilians were common, and pirates targeted merchant ships for goods, using flintlock pistols to threaten victims and grappling hooks to capture ships.
Insights
Pirate battles depicted in media are often exaggerated, portraying quick, organized attacks with minimal casualties, while historical pirates faced injuries, amputations, and infections due to the harsh reality of life at sea.
Privateers, distinct from pirates, were sanctioned by governments to capture designated ships, highlighting a complex system where hired pirates could operate legally, keeping a significant portion of their loot, showcasing a nuanced relationship between piracy and state interests.