Images

Early Sasanian bridge (Kavar bridge) spanning the Qara Aqaj River near Firuzabad in Iran. It was built in the 3rd century CE, possibly by Romans who were taken captive during the campaigns of Shapur I (r. 240-270 CE).

A detail of a 17th-century painting by Cornelis Verbeeck showing a Spanish galleon firing its cannons. In the complete painting, the ship is in combat with a Dutch vessel c. 1618 in an unknown location. (National Gallery of Art, Washington...

Sasanian relief in Taq-e Bostan (Iran) depicting the investiture of Ardashir II (r. 379-383 CE), the Sasanian King of Kings. Ardashir II appears in the middle, receiving the diadem from his predecessor Shapur II (r. 309-379 CE) (or Ahura...

Rock carving in Bisotun (Iran) from the Seleucid era depicting Hercules lying on the back of the lion skin and holding a bowl in his left hand. According to its Greek inscription it was carved in 148 BCE and dedicated to a local Seleucid...

Geena Davis as a female pirate in Cutthroat Island (1995). Photo by Carolco Pictures.

Sir Richard Bingham, English soldier and naval commander, oil on panel painting by an unknown artist, c. 1564. National Portrait Gallery, London.

Rockfleet Castle, near Newport, Ireland, built in the 16th century, the alleged place of death of Grace O'Malley.

A sculpture of Grace O'Malley (l. c. 1530-1603), Irish chieftain and seafarer, located at Westport House. Photo taken by Mike M on 13 June 2019.

Fionnuala Collins in Grainne Uaile: The Movie (2021) © Loose Gripp Films

The Stone Lion of Hamadan, which once had a twin, was part of the old gate of the city of Ecbatana in Persia (modern-day Iran). According to some accounts, the lions were built upon the order of Alexander the Great (r. 336-323 BCE) to commemorate...