Letter: Unknown (excavation images 1966A_P06_15A-16 and 1966A_P06_16A-17)

Recto

1. In the name of God, the Merciful and Compassionate.
2. I inform the Ikshīl, the Master of the Horses, the vizier of the king—may God prolong his life,
3. and cause his protection and wellbeing to endure—that his letter to me has referred to
4. the condition of the travellers from the boats and of others and that he has striven to ameliorate
5. this situation and the lofty, most glorious and munificent presence, may God establish his happiness, has graciously
6. released the boats, in the knowledge of what the country is undergoing
7. with regard to the rising of prices, for the travellers have experienced hardship and (the prices) have risen
8. to the disadvantage of the merchants, so that they have acquired goods at high prices.
9. The Ikshīl, therefore, needs to protect them and care for them in accordance with
10. their rights, and all the more so since they belong to those whose right (to protection) is obligatory and the service of whom is a compulsory requirement.

Recto, right margin

1. The bearer (of this letter), the leader Saʿāda, may God decree his abundant
2. good health, the relative of the noble leader, Hero of the Dynasty,
3. Ḥāmid, may God decree for him abundant good health, has departed. The Ikshīl
4. knows what is required with regard to the restraint of his (the Ikshīl’s) companions and the imposition upon them of obligations
5. and the prevention of those who oppose him (Saʿāda) with harm and damage
6. or a clerk who hinders him (Saʿāda) with regard to

Verso

1. pricing or anything else. I have been motivated (to write) this only by my obligation for the sake of the Master
2. of the Horses and my intention, as witnessed by God, to draw the hearts of all the people
3. to him, so that this is not hidden from him. So, please arrange for his (the eparch’s) letter to be sent to me with authorisation for me to offer the leader Saʿāda
4. respectful treatment until it (his work) is finished, for which I would be grateful, if God, the Powerful and Glorious, wills. His reply [    ]
5. would ensure that he would be treated justly in these matters through me by his (the eparch’s) slaves and servants, if God, the Powerful and Glorious, wills.
6. Praise be to God alone, and His blessings be upon our lord Muḥammad, His prophet, and his family, and peace.
7. Our sufficiency is God. What a fine keeper is He!

Verso, address, right colum

1. To the Ikshīl, Master of the Horses, vizier of the king,
2. Uruwī ibn Khiyākh, the deputy of the king in the citadel of Ibrīm,
3. may God cause his health, his protection and his wellbeing to endure.

Verso, address, left column

1. Shadow of his trust and one grateful for his blessing,
2. Lāmiʿ ibn Ḥasan al-Kanzī