Piratical effects
According to Daniel DeFoe, author of "A history of the Pyrates" written in the 1700's, the Cilician pyrates commanded as many as "1000 sail". These rogues nearly caused a famine in ancient Rome, pirating so many grain ships from Sicily to Rome. At one point, they flew royal purple sails, had the sterns of the ships plated with gold and their oars plated with silver. Pompey had to raise a huge navy to combat them, and after great effort, finally rid the world of the largest pirate fleet in history.