Letter from Qurra ibn Sharik to Basileios forbidding sale of palm groves TM 17682Aphrodites Kome (Antaiopolites)26. Jan. - 24. Febr. 710

[recto] Concerning palm groves (?). In the name of God. [Qurra son of Sharik, governor,] to Basileios, administrator of Aphrodito. We give thanks to God, and after that: It has become known to us that a great many people are buying palm groves in your district at a low price without authorization and without our letters. And if this is true, you have disregarded your own life and have opened a road against yourself. On receiving the present letter, therefore, do not permit anyone whatsoever to make a purchase of palms in your district except through our letters; and whenever we write to you concerning the purchase by any person of such palm groves, do not permit them to be given except at the rate of 50 cubits per solidus, not entrusting this matter to anyone, but mediating it yourself with all exactness, so that, as has been said, nothing is given to anyone in excess of the valuation which we have fixed for such palm groves. Let us not find, then, that the officials in charge of the customs house of Babylon have found you releasing any palm grove whatsoever from your district to any person whatsoever except through our letters, as has often been said, nor indeed that anything has been given above the valuation which we set out in writing, lest you be condemned. If you neglect anything of our command in these matters, you will suffer in body and in purse. Written in the month of Mecheir, indiction 8. [verso] Qurra son of Sharik, governor, to Basileios, administrator of the village of Aphrodito. [Month …] indiction 8. Brought by […] [concerning] not selling palm groves.