1. Piracy in the eastern Mediterranean, spreading to the whole Mediterranean, in the first century BC — largely ascribed to the fact that Rome had destroyed the Hellenistic Successor states that had controlled region without as yet asserting a policing authority of their own in the same era. See, bang-up mopping up operation by Pompey.
2. Piracy in the Caribbean and Spanish America generally from the 16th through the late 17th century. The reasons, broadly speaking, overextended and deteriorating Spanish naval power and indulged rival powers England, Dutch and French until the English decided that it was no longer in their long term interests.
Neither historical example is precisely on point. But piracy is usually about failed states, or failing or over-extended imperial powers.
