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Oistros
(115 words)

[German version]

(Οἶστρος/Oîstros). Personification of frenzy (cf. Furor, Lyssa, Mania [1]). The only preserved literary source (Poll. 4,142) lists O amongst the ékskeua prósōpa ('especially elaborate masks') of tragic drama (for illustrations: [1]). Above all, the Greek oîstros accurately describes the gadfly which pursues and plagues its victim and also the thorn or sting (Aesch. PV 567ff.; Eur. HF 862 and passim; Orph. A. 47).

Bibliography

1 B. Müller-Huber, s.v. O., LIMC 7.1, 28f. (with biblography)

2 R. Padel, In and Out of the Mind. Greek Images …

Cite this page
Antoni, Silke (Kiel), “Oistros”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e829510>
First published online: 2006
First print edition: 9789004122598, 20110510



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