Hercules Abducting Iole, From the Labors of Hercules

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. King Eurytus made the mistake of insulting Hercules. In revenge, Hercules attacks the kingdom and captures Princess Iole, whom he sends to Deianeira.