This collection investigates the administrative, political, and social structures of the early Roman Empire through the primary evidence of the Augustan and Tiberian periods. Victor Ehrenberg and A.H.M. Jones, both distinguished scholars of the ancient world, compile a rigorous selection of inscriptions, papyri, and literary fragments to provide a foundation for understanding the transition from Republic to Principate. Their work serves as a critical resource for students and researchers seeking to analyze the legal and institutional frameworks established during the reigns of the first two emperors.

Scholars and students of Roman history frequently identify this volume as a foundational reference for primary source analysis. The text is noted for its academic density and its utility in providing direct access to the administrative realities of the early Roman Empire.