The Pirates of the Ancient Mediterranean

Questions 1-6

Which paragraph (A-G) contains the following information?
NB You may choose any letter more than once.

1. a reference to a denial of involvement in piracy

2. details of how a campaign to eradicate piracy was carried out

3. a mention of the circumstances in which states in the ancient world would make use of pirates

4. a reference to how people today commonly view pirates

5. an explanation of how some people were encouraged not to return to piracy

6. a mention of the need for many sailing vessels to stay relatively close to land

Questions 7-10

Choose TWO correct answers.

7-8

Which TWO of the following statements does the writer make about inhabitants of the Mediterranean region in the ancient world?

They often used stolen vessels to carry out pirate attacks.

They managed to escape capture by the authorities because they knew the area so well.

They paid for information about the routes merchant ships would take.

They depended more on the sea for their livelihood than on farming.

They stored many of the goods taken in pirate attacks in coves along the coastline.

9-10

Which TWO of the following statements does the writer make about piracy and ancient Greece?

The state estimated that very few people were involved in piracy.

Attitudes towards piracy changed shortly after the 'Iliad' and the 'Odyssey' were written.

Important officials were known to occasionally take part in piracy.

Every citizen regarded pirate attacks on cities as unacceptable.

A favourable view of piracy is evident in certain ancient Greek texts.

Questions 11-13

Complete the summary. Write ONE WORD ONLY from the text in each gap.

Ancient Rome and piracy

Piracy was an issue ancient Rome had to deal with, but it also brought some benefits for Rome. For example, pirates supplied slaves that were important for Rome’s industries. However, attacks on vessels transporting (11) to Rome resulted in calls for (12) for the pirates responsible. Nevertheless, piracy continued, with some pirates demanding a (13) for the return of the Roman officials they captured.

The Pirates of the Ancient Mediterranean

Ancient Rome and piracy

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