This work investigates the social, economic, and legal status of freedmen within the complex hierarchy of the Roman Republic. Susan Treggiari, a distinguished scholar of Roman social history, utilizes an extensive array of primary sources, including epigraphic evidence and literary texts, to reconstruct the lives of those who transitioned from slavery to manumission. The book argues that freedmen occupied a unique and often precarious position that was essential to the functioning of the Roman economy and urban social structure.

Scholars frequently cite this volume as a foundational text for understanding the social stratification of the late Roman Republic. The prose is noted for its academic rigor and dense documentation, making it a standard reference for students and researchers in the field of classical studies.