Sundry Pirate News

CNN:

A German cruise liner said Tuesday it plans to fly its passengers over the Gulf of Aden, instead of sailing them through, out of fear of pirate attacks in the region.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said all 246 passengers and most of the crew aboard the MS Columbus, currently at the start of an around-the-world cruise, will disembark at an undisclosed port, then fly to Dubai to continue their journey.

The company called the move a precautionary measure.

CNN:

The European Union will launch its first naval operation Tuesday, protecting vessels from pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia, EU policy chief Javier Solana announced Monday.

Good move. I did object to this though:

In a recent interview provided to CNN, a pirate leader claimed attacks on shipping would continue so long as life in Somalia remained desperate.

"The pirates are living between life and death," said the pirate leader, identified by only one name, Boyah. "Who can stop them? Americans and British all put together cannot do anything."

First of all, Boyah, you don't want to end up in the cross-hairs of an U.S. Navy Carrier Battle Group. It will ruin your day, permanently. Second, Boyah and pirate leader are so lame. Ancient pirates had much better names and titles.

Gabbert, Piracy in the Early Hellenistic Period: A Career Open to Talents, Greece & Rome, Second Series, Vol. 33, No. 2 (Oct., 1986), pp. 156-163:

Demetrios Poliorketes frequently made use of pirates. At Ephesos, there was a group of 'pirates' under the command of an 'archpirate' named Andron.

Archpirate sounds so much cooler than pirate leader. Andron sounds so much scarier as well.

I wonder if I just learned sumptin' to the classics professors who show up here. I'm not all swearing and random pirate references I hope you know.