Ocnus

Ocnus by J. Ligozzi (circa 1547-circa 1627)

In Greek and Roman mythology, Ocnus /ˈɒknəs/ (Ancient Greek: Ὄκνος) or Bianor /bˈnər/ (Ancient Greek: Βιάνωρ) was a son of Manto and Tiberinus Silvius, king of Alba Longa. He founded modern Mantua in honor of his mother.[1] Alternatively, he was the son or brother of Aulestes and founded Felsina (modern Bologna[2]), Perusia or Cesena.[3]

Because of the association of his name with the Greek verb ὀκνέω (oknéō) 'I shrink from, hesitate', Ocnus is a character or allegorical deity which personifies hesitation, frustration, delay and the wasting of time, thus symbolising the vicissitudes of human life consumed in unsuccessful efforts.[1]

  1. ^ a b Abril Cultural (1973). Editora Victor CivitaDicionário de Mitologia Greco-Romana (in Portuguese). Editora Victor Civita. p. 134. OCLC 45781956.
  2. ^ Virgil X, 198
  3. ^ Serv. ad Virg. Ed. ix. 60, Aen. x. 198.