30+ Incredible Facts About Pirates That Are 100% True

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pirates used unique flags to scare off their enemies. These flags were designed to send a clear message to other ships - surrender or face a lot of trouble! Pirates chose symbols that looked fierce to strike fear in other ships and their crews.