This work investigates the cultural and political function of ancestor masks within the Roman elite and how these objects served as instruments of power and social status. Harriet I. Flower, a scholar of Roman history, utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the evolution of these funerary practices. By synthesizing evidence from legal texts, numismatics, and archaeology, she argues that the masks were not merely commemorative items but essential tools for maintaining aristocratic prestige across several centuries. The study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how the Roman nobility utilized their lineage to navigate the complexities of political life.

Experts recognize this text as a foundational study on Roman funerary customs and the visual culture of the aristocracy. Scholars frequently cite the book for its rigorous methodology and its ability to integrate disparate types of evidence into a cohesive historical argument.