The Strange Island Where Ancient Greeks Lived Completely Nude

Ancient Greek writers provide descriptions of some strange islands where the inhabitants lived nude, had a deep love for women and hated money. According to these accounts, ancient Greek historians believed these islands were inhabited by warriors from Boeotia, central Greece, who were shipwrecked while traveling there after the Trojan War.

Origin of the Balearic islands’ names

The Gymnesian Isles, known today as Spain’s Mallorca and Menorca, are the two larger islands of the Balearics. The name Gymnesian comes from the Greek word gymnos (γυμνός), meaning “nude,” referring to the lack of clothing or the lighter attire worn by the inhabitants of these islands, as observed by ancient Greek writers.

The Balearic Islands are known by many names in different languages. There are various theories about the origin of the two ancient names in Greek and Latin (Gymnasiai and Baleares), which are the ones that survive today from classical sources.

During Roman times, people initially changed the name of the island complex to Baliares and Baliarides. Later, during the reign of Augustus, they further evolved it into Baleares, which remains in use today. In the poem Alexandra, ancient Greek tragic poet, Lycophron, describes the islands as Gymnasiai (from the word “naked”) because their inhabitants often walked around naked, likely due to the consistently warm climate. Greek and Roman authors often gave names based on the abilities and qualities of the people they encountered.

After the 10-year Trojan War, many Greeks found themselves wandering the seas. That was either because they had difficulty finding their way back home or they faced persecution as exiles upon their return. This was often due to political changes that had occurred in their homelands during their absence.

The Gymnasiai and Pityoussai

Ancient historian Diodorus Siculus connects the word Valiarides to the verb vallo, highlighting the inhabitants’ exceptional skill in throwing large stones with their slings. Another version suggests that Valerieis comes from a Phoenician term meaning “lightly armed,” possibly linking the name to the Phoenician god Baal. Meanwhile, Roman historian Livy connects the name to an unknown companion of Hercules, named Valios. Valios allegedly stayed on the islands during Hercules’ campaign against Geryon.

Lycophron explains that in ancient times some Greek castaways from Boeotia landed nude on the Gymnesian isles, inspiring the name Gymnasiai. Another tradition claims that the city of Rhodes colonized the islands after the Trojan War.

People collectively referred to the islands as the Gymnasiai and Pityoussai. They attributed the name Gymnasiai either to the natives walking around naked during the summer or to their use of light weapons (gymnētai).

The name Pityoussai (“pine-covered”) reflects the abundance of pine trees on the islands. According to Lycophron, the castaways from Boeotia came from various regions such as Gla, Chaeronia, the Kopaida region, and Tanagra. Ancient Greek geographer Strabo, on the other hand, suggests that the first Greeks to anchor on the islands were from the island of Rhodes.

Geographic features and early inhabitants

The Gymnasiai consisted of two main islands: a larger one (insula maior) and a smaller one (insula minor). These names are the origin of the modern names Majorca (Mallorca/Maiorca) and Minorca (Menorca/Minorca). The forms Maiorica and Menorica are already attested by the 3rd century AD.

The two islands were famous for their fertile land and their large, hearty mules. However, vine and olive cultivation was absent. The inhabitants, being fond of wine, imported it from other regions. Due to the scarcity of olive oil, they produced an oil substitute made from linseed extract mixed with pork fat. At the time of Diodorus Siculus, the Gymnasiai had a population of over 30,000 inhabitants.

The Pityoussai islands included two main islands. The one in Roman times had the name Ebusus, which is today called Ibiza. The other named Colubraria (from the Greek ”ifiousa”, meaning “full of snakes”), now known as Formentera. The soil of these islands offered moderate potential for viticulture, and olive oil production began after grafting wild olives. However, they were especially renowned for the soft wool produced by their sheep.

Originally, the Balearic Islands were home to the Talaiotic culture, a prehistoric civilization of warlike people known for building fortified cities. From the 6th century BCE onward, the Carthaginian-Phoenician culture took root. According to Strabo, it was during this period that the natives of the Gymnesian isles began wearing tunics for the first time.

Cultural development and historical significance

In 202 BCE, the islands came under Roman rule. After that, successive conquests followed. The first by the Vandals in 455 CE, the Byzantines in 534 CE, and the Arabs in 768 CE.

During the reign of Augustus (27 BCE–14 CE), a severe famine broke out due to the uncontrolled breeding of rabbits, forcing the islanders to seek aid from Rome. In the 1st century CE, the Balearics served as a place of exile. Under Byzantine rule, the islands became significantly Christianized.

According to Diodorus Siculus, the Gymnesians (the inhabitants of Mallorca and Menorca) had a deep love for women. If a pirate abducted one of their women, they would offer three or four men as ransom to recover her. They avoided the use of precious metals and banned the importation of silver and gold coins to prevent greed or prying into their possessions. Even when they served as mercenaries for the Carthaginians, they refrained from bringing money back to their homeland. Instead, they used their wages to purchase women and wine.

Despite their love for simplicity, the Gymnesians cherished their beautiful land and enjoyed a peaceful lifestyle for centuries. However, in modern times, overtourism threatens to disrupt this tranquility.