Gymnesian Islands
The Gymnesians (Catalan: Illes Gimnèsies [ʒimˈnɛziəs], Spanish: Gimnesias [ximˈnesjas]), or Gymnesic Islands (Catalan: Illes Gimnèsiques),[1] is a collective name given to the two largest (and easternmost) Balearic Islands, Mallorca and Menorca, distinguishing them from the Pityuses (Catalan: Illes Pitiüses; Spanish: Pitiusas), or Pine Islands, Ibiza and Formentera.
Etymology
The word Gymnesian (from the
hoplites
.
Name usage
Later the
Phoenicians referred to both Mallorca and Menorca as the Baliarides. After the whole archipelago (the Pityuses and Gymnesians) came under Roman rule, the islands gained the overall Latin name Insulae Baliares or Baleares Insulae; the collective concept has continued in use in modern languages, hence ultimately the English name Balearic Islands
.
References
- Strabo Geography Book III, Chapter 2
- Belenguer, E. Història de les illes Balears. Barcelona: Edicions 62, 2004. 525 p. ISBN 84-297-5506-3(volume I)
39°48′46″N 3°34′34″E / 39.81276°N 3.57605°E
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