This volume investigates the structure, function, and social significance of the family unit within the political and legal frameworks of Classical and Hellenistic Greece. Sarah B. Pomeroy, a distinguished scholar in the field of women's history and classical studies, synthesizes a vast array of evidence to argue that the Greek polis functioned primarily as a community of households rather than a collection of autonomous individuals. By examining the family as both a productive and reproductive entity, the work establishes a foundational understanding of how kinship groups shaped the development of ancient Greek society.

Scholars and students of classical history frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the domestic life of the ancient world. The prose is noted for its academic rigor and its ability to synthesize diverse evidentiary sources into a cohesive historical narrative.