A French Ship and Barbary Pirates (c 1615) by Aert Anthoniszoon

The Barbary pirates were a group of pirates who operated in the Mediterranean Sea from the 16th to the 19th century. They were based in North Africa, specifically the coastal cities of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, known as the Barbary States. These pirates were notorious for attacking and capturing European merchant ships, enslaving their crews and passengers, and demanding ransom for their release. They also raided coastal towns and villages, taking captives for slavery. The Barbary pirates were a major threat to European trade and shipping in the Mediterranean, and several European powers, including France, Spain and the United States, launched military expeditions against them to put an end to their piracy. The Barbary pirates were eventually defeated and their power diminished by the early 19th century due to a combination of factors including the increased naval power of European countries, internal conflicts within the Barbary States and the pressure of international treaties.