[1473] Now Majorca and Minorca, with the ancient Pityussæ.
[1474] They served as mercenaries, first under the Carthaginians and afterwards under the Romans. The ancient writers generally derive the name of the people from their skill as archers—βαλεαρεῖς, from βάλλω, “to throw”; but Strabo assigns to the name a Phœnician origin, as being equivalent to the Greek γυμνῆται, “light-armed soldiers.” It is probably from their light equipment that the Greeks gave to the islands the name of Γυμνησίαι. Livy says that they used to go naked during the summer.
[1475] Seventy miles is the real length of Majorca, and the circumference is barely 250 miles.
[1476] Still called Palma. This and Pollentia were Roman colonies settled by Metellus.
[1477] Now Pollenza.
[1478] Now Sineu on the Borga.
[1479] The circumference is about 110 miles, the length 32.
[1480] Now Ciudadela.
[1481] Now Port Mahon. The site of Sanisera, which was probably more inland, is unknown.
[1482] Now Cabrera. The distance is not twelve, but nine miles.