This work investigates the complex religious transformation of Britain during the fourth century, specifically focusing on the interplay between the decline of Christianity and the persistence of indigenous pagan cults. Dorothy Watts, a scholar of Roman Britain, utilizes archaeological data and historical records to construct a chronological framework for these shifting belief systems. She argues that the religious landscape of the era was not a simple transition but a multifaceted evolution influenced by local traditions and broader imperial pressures.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this text as a significant contribution to the study of Romano-British religious history due to its rigorous use of archaeological evidence. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which makes it a foundational resource for those studying the transition from paganism to Christianity in the late Roman period.