Livius the historian tells about the hero Mucius Scaevola. He was captured during Rome’s war against the Etruscan king Porsenna. He was released as he was silent when his hand was burned over a fire. He then got the name Scaevola, meaning left hand. It was important for a prince of the 17th century to compare himself with Roman heroes. Therefore, paintings like this were strategic war loot. It was taken by Swedish troops in Munich in 1632.