Piracy has always fascinated people, gathering interest from both scholars and storytellers. It offers a glance into the world of piracy with regard to social interactions, rules, and economic factors. By exploring two books about piracy, John Esquemeling’s “The Buccaneers of America” and Alberico Gintili’s “The Law of War”, we can understand piracy in different contexts.
Esquemeling’s “The Buccaneers of America” provides a firsthand account of piracy in the Caribbean during the 17th century. Esquemeling was a former buccaneer and he offered a glance into life through the eyes of big figures from back then such as Henry Morgan. The book showcases the daring adventures supported by personal anecdotes and vivid depictions of the intense life of a pirate. Esquemeling explores the economic, social, and political factors driving piracy in the region. This includes rivalries, trade disruptions, and the attractiveness of nearby wealth. Henry Morgan’s legacy leans more towards being a commander, as he was such a successful pirate with great intelligence. You can see this when he uses strategy during his endeavors instead of mindlessly pillaging. John Esquemeling’s description challenges conventional stereotypes of piracy, offering the…show more content… Back then, many didn’t recognize pirates as humans; in turn, they received no human rights. Pirates were common enemies of mankind and did not fall under the jurisdiction of the law of war. “Pirates are the common enemies of all mankind and therefore Cicero says that the law of war cannot apply to them” (Gentili, 1933). Gentili’s goal was to establish beliefs to regulate piracy and preserve justice and order. Gentili’s book offers a comprehensive analysis of the legal and moral aspects of piracy, which addresses issues of taking prisoners and the distinction of regular
