Julius Caesar Kidnapped by Pirates

Did you know Julius Caesar was kidnapped by pirates? Neither did I! Sit back and enjoy the story as we tell you all about it.

Cilician Pirates Were Running Amuck

Since 1 BCE, the Mediterranean Sea has had a pirate problem. In the later part of their reign in the Mediterranean Sea, pirates made western Cilicia (modern-day Turkey) their base of operations. This is why they were known as “Cilician pirates.” Typically, the pirates would capture ships and their crews and sell the crew into slavery. Wealthy captives, on the other hand, would be held as hostages and ransomed.

Pirates Kidnap Julius Caesar

In 75 BCE, a group of Cilician pirates kidnapped a young nobleman named Julius Caesar. The pirates had no idea who he was since he was only twenty-five years old and on his way to Rhodes to study oratory.

Julius Caesar painting

If you’re like me and not an expert on the Roman Empire, then you might ask yourself, what is the study of oratory? It means learning how to use speech effectively, such as was needed to become a lawyer or a maker of laws.

Julius is Insulted—You Better up That Ransom

Young Julius was insulted that the pirates only asked for twenty talents (approximately 620 kg or 1366 lbs.) of silver. He was so offended that he sent his own men out to gather more funds and brought the ransom up to fifty talents (approximately 1,550 kg or 3400 lbs.). Our young Julius increased the amount by 150%. He was bold!

Here is another way to look at it. The pirates asked for $395,980.00, and our guy Julius Caesar was insulted that they had asked for so little. How dare they! He upped the amount to $989,939.00. (These amounts were calculated in September 2022; the silver price fluctuates every day.)

Julius Caesar Was a Dictator Even to His Captors

It took Julius Caesar’s men thirty-eight days to gather up the ransom money. This left Julius with only two servants during his captivity. In the usual Caesar style, he treated the pirates as his subordinates. He would send his servants out to hush the pirates when he wanted to sleep.

Julius Caesar’s statue in his military attire

Julius spent most of his time with the pirates reciting and composing poetry and working on speeches. And when the pirates didn’t respond as Caesar thought they should, he would chide them. He would also play games with them, but rather than accept he was their prisoner. He treated the pirates as though he were their leader. Nonetheless, the pirates grew to respect Caesar and allowed him freedom on the island where they were holding him.

The pirates thought Julius was quite amusing, even when he made jokes about how he would crucify them once he was free.

Julius Makes Good on His Threats

Once the ransom was paid, Julius Caesar was released. He hadn’t cared about being held captive. At this time, although he was only a private citizen, he still managed to raise a small naval fleet. He not only hunted down the pirates who had kidnapped him, but also attacked the whole island they were using as a base.

Next, he took his captors to prison in the city of Pergamon so the authorities there could punish them. When Caesar found out the pirates were to be sold into slavery, he returned to the prison. He took the pirates out and cut their throats before having them crucified. Unbeknownst to the pirates, Julius’s jests about crucifying them were actually promises.

Julius Caesar also took his fifty talents back from the pirates. After this ordeal, he never completed his study of oratory but instead became a Roman dictator and one of history’s best tactical minds.

If You Liked This Strange History

Then perhaps you might also enjoy some of our other posts, such as “Double, Double I See Trouble,” or “El Silbón.” We also have posts about true crime, urban legends, and other weird histories. We’re glad you stopped by and spent time with us today. Thank you!