“When Xerxes had heard of it, he was furious and gave orders that the Hellespont should receive three hundred lashes and that a pair of fetters should be cast into it. Indeed, I have even heard it said that he bade the branders take their irons and brand the Hellespont. It is certain that he commanded those who scourged the water to utter these barbarian and arrogant words: ‘You bitter water, your master lays on you this punishment because you have wronged him without cause, having suffered no evils at his hands. But King Xerxes will cross you, whether you will or not. Well do you deserve that no man honor you with sacrifice, for you are a treacherous and unsavory river.’”
-History of the Persian Wars by Herodotus
(background note: the Hellespont is a body of water.)
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