Ocnus

In Greek and Roman mythology, Ocnus or Bianor was a son of Manto and Tiberinus. He founded Mantua (modern Mantova). Alternatively, he was the son or brother of Auletes and founded Felsina (modern Bologna^[1]) or Perusia or Cesena.^[2]

Ocnus was condemned to spend eternity in the netherworld, weaving a rope of straw. As depicted in the picture by Polygnotos, standing behind him is his donkey which eats the rope as fast as it is made.[1]

Ocnus personifies hesitation, frustration, delay and the wasting of time and effort.

References

1. ^ Virgil X, 198
2. ^ Serv. ad Virg. Ed. ix. 60, Aen. x. 198.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology by William Smith (1870).