n
the world, who did them great service in battles and sieges.(582) They
slang large stones of above a pound weight; and sometimes threw leaden
bullets,(583) with so much violence, that they would pierce even the
strongest helmets, shields, and cuirasses; and were so dexterous in their
aim, that they scarce ever missed the mark. The inhabitants of these
islands were accustomed, from their infancy, to handle the sling; for
which purpose their mothers placed on the bough of a high tree, the piece
of bread designed for their children's breakfast, who were not allowed a
morsel till they had brought it down with their slings. From this
practice, these islands were called Baleares and Gymnasiae, by the
Greeks,(584) because the inhabitants used to exercise themselves so early
in slinging of stones.(585)

_Conquests of the Carthaginians in Spain._--Before I enter on the relation
of these conquests, I think it proper to give my readers some idea of
Spain.

Spain is divided into three parts, Boetica, Lusitania, Tarraconensis.(586)

Boetica, so called from the river Boetis,(587) was the southern division of
it, and comprehended the present kingdom of Granada, Andalusia, part of
New Castile, and Estremadura. Cadiz, called by the ancients Gades and
Gadira, is a town situated in a small island of the same name, on the
western coast of Andalusia, about nine leagues from Gibraltar. It is well
known that Hercules, having extended his conquests to this place, halted,
from the supposition that he was come to the extremity of the world.(588)
He here erected two pillars, as monuments of his victories, pursuant to
the custom of that age. The place has always retained the name, though
time has quite destroyed these pillars. Authors are divided in opinion,
with regard to the place where these pillars were erected. Boetica was the
most fruitful, the wealthiest, and most populous part of Spain.(589) It
contained two hundred cities, and was inhabited by the Turdetani, or
Turduli. On the banks of the Boetis stood three large cities, Castulo
towards the source, Corduba lower down, the native place of Lucan and the
two Senecas, lastly, Hispalis.(590)

Lusitania is bounded on the west by the Ocean, on the north by the river
Durius,(591) and on the south by the river Anas.(592) Between these two
rivers is the Tagus. Lusitania was what is now called Portugal, with part
of Old and New Castile.

Tarraconensis comprehended the rest of Spain, that is,