Lichas Bringing the Garment of Nessus to Hercules, From the Labors of Hercules, 1542-1548, Sebald Beham, German, 1500-1550, 2 × 3 in. (5.08 × 7.62 cm) (sheet), Engraving, Germany, 16th century, The legendary strongman Hercules was born to the god Zeus and a mortal named Alcmena. This union so incensed Zeuss wife Hera that she made life almost unbearable for the hero. Her ire resulted in him undertaking a series of tasks, known as the Twelve Labors of Hercules. Sebald Beham challenged his audiences knowledge of the classical text, engraving three actual labors and nine scenes of Hercules exploits before and after his labors.