(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 …