Letter: MIAC 23973.69
Letter MIAC 23973.69What's in the PGP
- 1 Transcription
- 1 Translation
Description
Letter from Lāmiʿ ibn al-Ḥasan al-Kanzī to the Nubian eparch Uruwī ibn Khiyākh (Ikshīl, Master of the Horses, and vizier of the king). In which Lāmiʿ informs the eparch that his previous letter was delivered "through the agency of my master, Treasure of the Dynasty (Kanz al-Dawla)," demonstrating the hierarchy of relationships: Lāmiʿ serves the Kanz al-Dawla. The main purpose of the letter appears to be securing safe passage and good treatment for the sender's slaves Kaylā and ʿĀli, who are traveling to the Nubian king together with "my textiles." He specifically requests protection for them, asking the eparch to ensure that no one "has had the audacity to be hostile to them." Lāmiʿ also mentions having written a letter to the king expressing his intention to "carry out the wish of the king in his land," suggesting diplomatic deference. The good treatment of a representative reflects on the treatment of the master: "If somebody cares for the slave boy and does good to him, he does it to his master." MR Khan, Qaṣr Ibrīm, doc. 12.
Tags
Editor: Khan, Geoffrey
Translator: Khan, Geoffrey (in English)
MIAC 23973.69 recto
Recto
- بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
- اعلم الاكشيل وصاحب الخيل ووزير الملك اطال
- الله بقاها وادام سعادته وسلامته ونعمته ان
- كتابي تقدم اليه على يد مولاي كنز الدولة اعلمه ان عبيدي
- سايرين الى الملك احياه الله وعرفته
- ان كتبت على ايديهم كتاب الى الملك ما انا اعتمده
- مع رغبة الملك وفي بلاده وتعرفه ان يتقدم
- بحفظ عبيدي ومراعاتهم والاشتمال عليهم
- وان ما جسر احد يخرج سواهم والناس
- متواصلين الى بلاد الملك وما يطلبوا غير
- العدل وفعل الخير وقد توجهوا عبيدي
Recto, right margin
- كلا وعالي يعامل بالانسان
- اذا حفظ الغلام وفعل معه خير
- انما يفعله مع مولاه وهذه لك
- وصيتي اليك والله كتب سلامتهم
- اعزازا لهم واكراما من المالك
Recto
-
In the name of God, the Merciful and Compassionate.
-
I inform the Ikshīl, Master of the Horses and vizier of the king—
-
may God prolong his life and cause his happiness, safety and wellbeing to endure—that
-
my letter has been presented to him (i.e., you) through the agency of my master, Treasure of the Dynasty (Kanz al-Dawla). I inform him (i.e., you) that my slaves
-
are travelling to the king, may God cause him to live. I have informed him (i.e., you)
-
that I have had a letter written by them to the king, indicating I shall carry out
-
the wish of the king in his land. Please ask him to commit
-
to protecting my slaves, to making provision for them and to caring for them,
-
and to ensure that nobody has had the audacity to be hostile to them. These people
-
have friendly relations with the land of the king and request
-
only justice and kindness. My slaves
Recto, right margin
-
Kaylā and ʿĀli have travelled with my fabrics. If somebody
-
cares for the slave boy and does good to him,
-
he does it to his master. This is
-
my instruction to you. May God decree their protection,
-
and the king receive them with kindness and honour.
MIAC 23973.69 verso
Verso
- الحمد لله وحده وصلواته على سيدنا محمد نبيه واله وسلامه
- حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل
Verso, address, right column
- للاكشيل وصاحب الخيل ووزير الملك
- اروي بن خياخ نائب الملك بقلعة ابريم
- ادام الله سلامته وحراسته ونعمته
Verso, address, left column
- شاكره وصديقه
- لامع بن الحسن الكنزي
Verso
-
Praise be to God alone, and His blessings be upon our lord Muḥammad and his family, and His peace.
-
Our sufficiency is God. What a fine keeper is He!
Verso, address, right column
-
To the Ikshīl, Master of the Horses, vizier of the king,
-
Uruwī ibn Khiyākh, the deputy of the king in the citadel of Ibrīm,
-
may God cause his health, his protection and his wellbeing to endure.
Verso, address, left column
-
One who is grateful to him and his friend
-
Lāmiʿ ibn al-Ḥasan al-Kanzī