Hercules Killing the Nemean Lion, From the Labors of Hercules, 1548, Sebald Beham, German, 1500¡V1550, 2 ¡Ñ 3 in. (5.08 ¡Ñ 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 Zeus¡¦s 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 audience¡¦s knowledge of the classical text, engraving three actual labors and nine scenes of Hercules¡¦ exploits before and after his labors.