Middle Earth - Unstuck in Time?

[davem]

Originally Posted by Ealasaide

Yes, I was interested in finding out if there was one "ideal" notion of, for instance, a corsair ship, kind of like the Platonic Essence of Corsair Shipness, not so much out of a need for definition, but to assuage my own curiosity.

I think this would depend on whether there was a Corsair 'culture' as such - did they create their own cultural artifacts, or simply steal, & cannibalise those of other cultures? I could see their ships having a basic 'Numenorean' feel to them, but adapted for their particular approach - mostly inshore raiding, etc, but I can't see their ships having a 'uniform' look in any detailed sense - any more than their dress/weapons. If there was an 'ideal' corsair ship it would be a purely practical design, any extraneous decoration removed or lost & not replaced, & as well protected as possible. It also seems to me that ancient ship design was based to some degree in the culture's beliefs/worldview - ie dragon prows on viking ships - so that brings in the questiion of corsair 'beliefs' - would they have specific designs which they would add on, or were they purely motivated by a materialistic approach - power & money. Perhaps getting an idea of their culture, if any, would help in imagining their ships. Having said that, I'm not sure there would be a standard shape or design.