Lease of an estate with cistern and date palms at Aphrodite TM 18427Aphrodites kome (Antaiopolites)AD 527

643 ☧ In the consulship of Flavius Olybrius, the most glorious, Pauni 18, sixth indiction. To the most noble Sibylla and Herais, on behalf of Sourous, daughters of Mousaios of blessed memory, through the most admirable Apollos son of Isakios, assistant of the village of Aphrodite in the Antaiopolite nome, from Aurelius Victor son of Papnouthis, his mother being Tsenvictor, originating from the same village of Aphrodite in the same nome, greetings. I acknowledge that I have willingly and of my own choice leased from your admirableness for a period of three years, reckoned from the crops, God willing, of the coming seventh indiction inclusive, the estate belonging to you in the holding called Pia Peto Ouesotos, with cistern and reservoir and plants and date palms and all rights within and without according to its boundaries, on condition that I cultivate it and carry out and display all the work with my own animals and cultivators. And as rent for it I am ready each year to provide the charges attached to it of the public gold tax and of the grain shipment of the embole and the freight, on land both fully irrigated and unflooded, and to give you, apart from the embole and the gold tax, to complete the same rents, 28 artabas of wheat by the rent measure of the most magnificent count Ammonios. I will also provide 50 cheeses and 4 jars (?) of pickled vegetables for the livestock in my charge, and one gold tremissis. And I shall be free to take water from the cistern and reservoir there for the outside and adjoining arouras in the same place without payment. The lease is valid and secure, and having been asked the formal question, I have assented. ☧ I hold the date palms, and do not take anyone else. [☧] I, Aurelius Papnouthios (?), the aforesaid, have leased as aforesaid. [† I, Aurelius] Apollos son of Dioskoros, having been asked, wrote on his behalf since he does not know letters. ☧ Written through me, Kyros, lawyer, God willing †