Battle of Thermopylae

Xerxes ordered to tame the disobedient sea.

An excerpt from the article 31 facts about Battle of Thermopylae

The first attempt to build a bridge made of papyrus and linen, due to a storm that tore away the ropes proved completely unsuccessful. According to legends, Xerxes ordered 300 lashes to be measured out to the sea and shackles to be thrown into the water to force the sea to obey. Only the second attempt to build a bridge (from ships) was successful.