This volume investigates the political, social, and administrative history of Ancient Greece through the primary evidence of contemporary epigraphic records. Russell Meiggs and David Lewis, both distinguished scholars in the field of classical history, curate a selection of ninety-five inscriptions that provide a direct window into the archaic and classical periods. By organizing these texts chronologically, the authors establish a framework for understanding the evolution of Greek governance, law, and international relations from 750 B.C. to the conclusion of the Peloponnesian War in 404 B.C.

Experts and historians consistently cite this work as a foundational reference for students of epigraphy and classical history. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the precision of the editorial notes, which remain essential for serious research in the field.