or the Balearic Islands. The appellation is commonly derived from Βαλλαίοι, because the inhabitants were excellent flingers. But Bochart makes the name of Punic or Phoenician original, as were the people: Baal-jare, a master, or skilful at throwing; the Phoenicians and Hebrews being dexterous at the use of the sling. The Greeks called these islands Gymnese (Strabo); because in summer the inhabitants went naked (Diodorus, Livy), or rather because only armed with a sling in war (Hesychius). They are two in number, the Greater and the Les, 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 furnamed Balearicus, 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 Choeareades by Apollonius, and Choeradades by Strabo, i.e. "rocky." See MAJORCA and MINORCA.