Baleāres
also called
Gymnesiae (
Γυμνήσιοι) by
the Greeks. Two islands in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Spain, distinguished by the
epithets Maior and Minor, whence their modern names Majorca and Minorca. Their inhabitants,
also called Baleares, were celebrated as slingers. They were subdued B.C. 123, by Q. Metellus,
who assumed accordingly the surname Balearicus.