[IDEM eodem libro. ] §47.11.9.prSunt quaedam, quae more prouinciarum coercitionem solent admittere: ut puta in prouincia Arabia σκοπελισμὸν crimen appellant, cuius rei admissum tale est: plerique inimicorum solent praedium inimici σκοπελίζειν, id est lapides ponere indicio futuros, quod, si quis eum agrum coluisset, malo leto periturus esset insidiis eorum, qui scopulos possuissent: quae res tantum timorem habet, ut nemo ad eum agrum accedere audeat crudelitatem timens eorum qui scopelismon fecerunt.
[THE SAME, from the same book.] There are certain matters which, according to the custom of the provinces, are accustomed to admit of punishment. As, for example, in the province of Arabia they call a crime "scopelismus", the commission of which is as follows: many of one's enemies are accustomed to "scopelise" the estate of an enemy, that is, to place stones which are to serve as an indication that, if anyone should cultivate that field, he would perish by a miserable death through the treachery of those who had placed the stones. This act causes such great fear that no one dares to approach that field, fearing the cruelty of those who committed the scopelismus.
hanc rem praesides exequi solent grauiter usque ad poenam capitis, quia et ipsa res mortem comminatur.
Governors are accustomed to prosecute this matter severely, even up to the death penalty, because the act itself threatens death.