This is a collection of essays in the social and economic history of Greece and Rome by a leading historian of classical antiquity. They are grouped in three overlapping sections, covering the economy and society of cities; peasants and the rural economy; and food supply and famine. The essays, all previously published, are presented together with bibliographical addenda by Walter Scheidel that summarize and assess scholarly reaction to the author's work. The range of subject matter and approach is wide and the treatment original and provocative.

"...this book is useful as an auxiliary text for university students in religion, history, classics, anthropology, and other social sciences as well."

"...Peter Garnsey's scholarship on the material foundations okf ancient Greek and Roman life is a pleasure to read and a valuable addition to our knowledge of the subject."