I've always been a fan of the story back in ancient Rome where a storm whipped up and sunk a lot of Roman ships and killed many sailors.

The storm basically ruined Rome's navy.

Caligula took personal offence to this 'attack' and decided to decalre war on the one who (in his mind) was responsible, Poseidon.

So, proving how bat shit insane he was, he sent his army down to the sea and had his soldiers whip and stab the ocean in retribution for the sea king's 'attack.

Needless to say nothing happened but I always found it amusing that a man with that kind of power could do something so ridiculous.