Yes, you read that correctly.

In 1325, medieval Italy witnessed one of history's most ridiculous wars when Modena stole a wooden bucket from Bologna's city well. What should have been a minor prank between rival city-states escalated into full-scale warfare, with Bologna sending 32,000 soldiers to reclaim their bucket while Modena defended it with just 7,000 troops. The Battle of Zappolino resulted in over 2,000 deaths, proving that medieval honor was apparently worth dying for—even when it involved ordinary household items.

The truly absurd part isn't just that thousands died fighting over a bucket, but that Modena still proudly displays their war trophy nearly 700 years later in their town hall, where tourists can visit the "Secchia Rapita" (stolen bucket) that sparked a 12-year conflict. The two cities maintain their rivalry to this day, though thankfully it's now limited to soccer matches and arguments about whose food is better, serving as a perfect reminder that humans have always been willing to fight over the stupidest things imaginable when pride is on the line.

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