Pirates Legend & Culture

A lot of what we think we know about pirates comes from legends and myths. In reality, pirates were much more complex and diverse than the swashbuckling characters we see in movies or read about in books. Continue onto this section to learn more!

The Pirates' Culture 

FAQs

Q: How were pirates ruled?

  A: Most pirate crews followed a strict set of rules known as the "Pirate Code," which outlined leadership roles, punishments, and how loot was divided among the crew. 

Q: How did pirates choose their captains?

  A: Captains were usually elected by the crew and could be replaced if they were unfair or lost the crew's trust. 

Q: What did pirates wear?

   A: Pirates didn’t have uniforms—they wore whatever they could get their hands on, often clothes stolen from merchant ships or ports. ''

Q: Where did pirates live?

  A: Pirates didn’t have permanent homes like most people—they lived mainly on their ships while at sea. But when they weren’t sailing, they stayed in pirate-friendly ports or hidden islands, often in the Caribbean 

Q: When were pirates active?

A: Pirates have existed for thousands of years, but the most famous era is called the Golden Age of Piracy, which lasted from about 1650 to 1730. 

Q: Where did the hook hand legend come from?

A: The iconic pirate hook became popular through fiction. The most famous example is Captain Hook from Peter Pan (1904), who helped shape the image we know today. After that, movies, books, and cartoons kept the idea alive, making it a symbol of pirate toughness and survival. 

Q: Did pirates really bury treasure like we see in movies?

A: The idea of pirates burying treasure is more legend than fact. While a few pirates may have hidden their loot to keep it safe, most pirates didn’t bother with burying treasure. They preferred to spend it quickly, and most treasure was either stolen or sold rather than hidden in secret spots 

Q: Did pirates really bury treasure like we see in movies?

A: The idea of pirates burying treasure is more legend than fact. While a few pirates may have hidden their loot to keep it safe, most pirates didn’t bother with burying treasure. They preferred to spend it quickly, and most treasure was either stolen or sold rather than hidden in secret spots 

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Here at All About Pirates, we aim to encourage learning the truths about pirates beyond Hollywood television and media. Our goal is to sail through the truth and find the real stories behind the myths!