to cross the hellespont (now the dardanelles), his engineers lashed together 600 ships into a floating bridge spanning the strait. but nature struck first—fierce storms tore the structure apart before his men could pass. enraged, xerxes reportedly ordered his soldiers to whip the sea 300 times, throw chains into the waves, and brand the water as punishment for defying his will.
the bridge was rebuilt with greater care, and xerxes’ army did cross into greece—sparking legendary battles like thermopylae and salamis. but the sea would not be conquered. future storms again destroyed the crossing, reminding the persian king that even the mightiest empire couldn’t command the winds