The book deals with inscriptions and papyri belonging to the Hellenistic and Roman imperial periods, during which the number of testimonies of this type increases dramatically. It includes texts of public and private nature that represent the basic categories of inscriptions and (non-literary) papyri. These include resolutions, treaties, letters, decrees, contracts, censuses, interviews, manumissions, mileposts, dedicatory and funerary inscriptions, and bonds.

The texts are accompanied by modern Greek translation and extensive commentary. They come from the wider geographical area of the Eastern Mediterranean and touch on key issues of politics, society, economy, and religion in Hellenistic and Roman times. Issues such as the relationships between cities and Hellenistic rulers or later cities and Roman officials or emperors, phenomena such as benefaction, sanctuary and city asylum, the spread of festivals and games, the spread of new cults, slavery, and the flourishing of documentary associations are documented by the selected sources and discussed through their commentary.

The aim of the book is to make accessible sources that remain unknown to the general public and to highlight through their commentary the crucial issues of Hellenistic and Roman times.