Golden Age of Piracy

The Golden Age of Piracy was a period from the 1650s to the 1730s when piracy significantly affected the North Atlantic and Indian Oceans. It is commonly divided into the buccaneering period, the Pirate Round, and the post-Spanish Succession period. Valuable ocean-going cargoes, reduced naval presence, experienced sailors, and ineffective colonial government contributed to piracy. Popular images of pirates are largely derived from this era.

Date range

Between the 1650s and the 1730s

Major regions

North Atlantic and Indian Oceans

Common subdivisions

Buccaneering period, Pirate Round, and post-Spanish Succession period