The Pirate History Podcast

The Maghreb was a fertile location for outright piracy at the turn of the 17th century. No national, monarchical, or imperial power held sway there thanks to mutiny, revolution, and what some have called anarchist sensibilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first decade of the 17th century saw an explosion of Mediterranean piracy that was unlike anything the world had ever seen. Today we will introduce the first of these pirates and discuss the culture of privateering and piracy that led to a sea change in how violence on the sea was conducted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our story today bridges three different stories. The Sephardi Jews that made their way to Amsterdam, the Barbary Corsairs, and the Dutch in revolt all meet in today's story thanks to one mariner who was a pirate, a diplomat, a merchant, and a spy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of the death of Barbarossa a number of corsairs vied for his position, but only one commander commanded the respect of the men, the trust of the Sultan, and the love of the late Khizr. Turgut Reis became known in Europe as Dragut. On Barbary he was called The Drawn Sword of Islam. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The aftermath of Preveza was contentious, but Barbarossa and his closest allies worked to secure Ottoman hegemony in the Mediterranean. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The defeat at Tunis was a major blow to Barbarossa, but he would retaliate with a scourge of piracy that dwarfed any that had come before. The Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor had to answer his challenge and did so in the last great sea battle fought with oars and galleys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The contest for the Mediterranean reaches a fever pitch as Barbarossa ravages the shores of Italy and then returns to Africa. Charles V realizes his mistake in ignoring the younger Barbarossa brother, and decides to rectify the situation in the city of Tunis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we introduce the major players in the building conflict. We talk about Charles V & Suleiman the Magnificent. We talk about Khizr Barbarossa and his Italian raids that culminated in one of Renaissance Italy's greatest tales. We discuss Sinan Reis, who the Portuguese called 'The Great Jew' and his personal war on Spanish shipping that brought Mediterranean trade to a virtual halt. And then we introduce the last major player. Andrea Doria, a Genoese mercenary who turned down a crown to continue his fight against the Corsairs of Barbary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles V arrives in Oman with ten thousand soldiers to face off against the Pirate King Barbarossa. Within months of his arrival territories have changed hands and most of the major players have changed. Soon enough it was an entirely new crop of soldiers and sailors and commanders facing off in an ancient contest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our story today is the pinnacle of piracy in the career of the Barbarossa brothers. Their actions, combined with Ottoman and Spanish policies, brought and end to their pirate career. But they were transformed into something more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices