Piracy and Maritime Crime: Historical and Modern Case Studies

Piracy, or “robbery on the high seas,” has existed for as long as people and commodities have traversed the oceans. The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Chinese all complained of it, and all created naval forces to fight pirates. The word “piracy” comes from the Latin pirate, “sea robber,” and before that from the Greek pirates—“brigand,” or “one who attacks.” Piracy, however, has evolved over time, and this volume examines how piracy and ocean governance have changed from 1608, when the Dutch j...