A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

436 The Revolution
The pirates.
Florus iii. 6.
Plutarch,
Pompey, 24.
was agreeable for the Romans to hear, because of their
good will to Pompey.
Meantime, while the Romans were engaged in different
parts of the world, the Cilicians had spread themselves
over the sea, and by obstructing commerce and by breaking
the bonds of human society, had made the sea as impassable
through piracy as it would have been rendered
by a tempest.
And now men who were powerful in wealth and of distinguished
birth, and who claimed superior education, began
to embark on piratical vessels and to share in
their
undertakings, as if the occupation were reputable and an
object of ambition. In many places were piratical posts
and fortified beacons, at which armaments put in. For
this peculiar occupation swift light fleets were fitted out
with bold vigorous crews and skilful helmsmen. More
annoying than their formidable appearance was their
arrogant and pompous equipment with golden streamers
and purple sails and silvered oars, as if they rioted in their
evil practices and prided themselves on them. Their
playing on flutes and stringed instruments and their drinking
along the whole coast, their seizure of persons high in
office, and their holding captured cities for ransom, disgraced
the Roman supremacy. The piratical ships had
now increased to above a thousand, and the cities seized
by them were four hundred.
But their most insulting conduct was of the following
nature. Whenever a captive called out that he was a
Roman and mentioned his name, they would pretend te
be terrified, and would strike their thighs and fall dowp
at his knees praying him to pardon them; and their captive
would believe all this to be real, seeing that they were
humble and suppliant. Then some would put Roman shoes