BALEARES INSULÆ, or the Balcaric Islands. The appellation is commonly derived from Βαλλὰρ, because the inhabitants were excellent flingers. But Bochart makes the name of Punic or Phœnician original, as were the people: Baal-jare, a master, or skilful at
throwing; the Phœnicians and Hebrews being dexterous at the use of the sling. The Greeks called these islands Gymnesæ (Strabo); because in summer the inhabitants went naked (Diodorus, Livy), or rather because only armed with a sling in war (Hefychius). They are two in number, the Greater and the Less, or Major and Minor; and hence the modern names Majorca and Minorca. The Major is distant from the Minor 30 miles to the west, in length 40 miles, and in circuit 150 (Pliny). They were subdued by Quintus Metellus, thence furnished Balcaricus, in the year 120 B. C. The Baleares, together with the adjacent islands, were a part of the Provincia Citerior or Tarraconensis, and of the resort of the Conventus Carthaginensis or New Carthage. These islands are called Choerades by Apollonius, and Choerades by Strabo, i. e. "rocky." See MAJORCA and MINORCA.