ONA'TAS (Lat., from Gk. 'Ovaras). A Greek artist, whose activity extended from about B.C. 400 to 460. He was a native of i-Egina and son of Micon. Among his famous works were a four horse chariot at Olympia made for Hiero of Syra cuse to commemorate a victory in the games, a colossal Hercules at the same place. dedicated by the Thasians, and a group of the Greek heroes casting lots to determine who should accept the challenge of Hector. At Delphi was a large group of fighting men dedicated by the Tarcn tines. Onatas is known only as a worker in bronze, but it is probable that the ...Eginetan sculptures (q.v.) show his influence on the art of his native island.
ONATE, 6-nyii'ttt. JUAN nt: (c.1555-c.16151. A Spanish explorer. settler of New Mexico. Ile was born at Guadalajara, Mexico. of which city his father was the founder, and married a grand daughter of In 1595 lie received permis sion from the Viceroy, Velasco. to colonize what
is now New Mexico. After his preparations were complete, the start was delayed by Monterey, who had succeeded Velasco as Viceroy, and \vim wished to transfer the grant to Pedro Ponce de Leon. In the latter part of January. 1598. the force of 130 colonists with servants and Indians started from Zacatecas; it crossed the Rio Grande in April; and in August founded San Juan, the first capital of New Mexico. Ovate led several expeditions into Arizona (1599, 1604, and pos sibly 1611 ), and seems not to have been Governor of the new settlements after 1608. The principal source for the history of the expedition is an epic poem by Gaspar de Villagrd (or Villagran), a captain, who accompanied Ovate and made him the hero of the epopee.