A pirate is a person who engages in acts of robbery and violence at sea. Historically, pirates would attack ships to steal valuable cargo and often operated in groups on ships called pirate ships. They are commonly associated with the Golden Age of Piracy, which took place in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Pirates are often depicted in popular culture as adventurous and rebellious figures, wearing distinctive clothing and using swords. Famous pirates include Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. Today, piracy still exists in some parts of the world, where modern pirates target commercial vessels for ransom or theft.