This book considers traditional assumptions about the nature of social relationships in Greek households during the Classical and Hellenistic periods, which draws on archaeological evidence from individual houses rather than textual sources. The focus of the study is the domestic organization of households, particularly the relationships between men and women within the households, between household members and outsiders, and with the wider social structures of the polis or city state, and how these changed with time.

"Scholarly study of Greek houses, their plans, patterns of organization, functions, and prestige."

"...welcome volume...stimulating study"

"She does an excellent job of establishing a theoretical framework within which she does a close analysis of some of the material from Olynthos...This is a fine treatment of a difficult subject. Recommended for undergraduate and graduate libraries."

"...a source of clarification and wise balance..."