This volume investigates how the integration of the Greek world into the Roman Empire fostered a renewed emphasis on local identities. The book posits that this phenomenon mirrors modern globalization, where localism became a site for complex negotiations, sometimes aligning with imperial aims and other times creating tension. It aims to enrich existing scholarship on Greek identity by moving beyond a singular focus on 'Greekness' to explore specific polis and regional affiliations. Furthermore, it contributes to the study of Romanization by examining the interplay between a region's distinct self-perception and its awareness of being part of a larger, centrally governed empire.

The book is positioned as a scholarly contribution that adds nuance to existing discussions on Greek identity and Romanization. By focusing on the interplay between local and imperial affiliations, it seeks to provide a more textured understanding of the Greek experience within the Roman Empire. The volume's approach suggests an academic audience interested in the complexities of identity formation and cultural negotiation in antiquity. Its emphasis on specific polis and regional identities aims to correct a perceived overemphasis on a pan-Hellenic identity in prior scholarship.