This book investigates how the resurgence of Greek literary production during the Roman Empire functioned as a complex negotiation of cultural identity and political power. Tim Whitmarsh, a prominent scholar in classical literature, utilizes contemporary cultural theory to analyze how Greek intellectuals navigated their status within the expansive, multicultural Roman hegemony. By examining the interplay between imitation and innovation, the author argues that these texts were not merely derivative but served as active sites for the construction of Hellenic identity under imperial rule.

Scholars and students of classics frequently cite this work as a vital contribution to the study of imperial Greek literature. The text is noted for its sophisticated application of modern theory to ancient sources, making it a standard reference for those researching cultural identity in the Roman world.