In 2008, when I started my PhD research into the municipal elites of Campania during the Antonine-Severan period, I did not envisage that one day I would publish a book on the subject. To be honest, at that time even defending my PhD thesis was a distant dream, as I had just finished my MA thesis on the political history of Britain in the late Republic and early Principate period and treated the exploration of the world of Campanian elites as an exciting new adventure. It was my then supervisor – Professor Andrzej Łoś – who persuaded me to abandon the rainy north periphery of Imperium Romanum and take a closer look at sunbathed Italy. Throughout my PhD studies (and afterwards) Professor Łoś was always on hand to offer help and advice, and he undoubtedly influenced the final shape of my book, for which I am extremely grateful. I would also like to thank Professor Krzysztof Nawotka (who also reviewed my PhD) for his generous feedback regarding my dissertation, and who at a critical moment successfully convinced me to not give up and finish the book. I am also grateful to the second reviewer of my PhD thesis – Professor Leszek Mrozewicz – whose very positive review strengthened my belief in the desira- bility of my research. Dr. Igor Wypijewski, who I had many long-lasting and illuminating discussions with whilst working together on various historical and epigraphic projects, is also deserving of my praise. I am also indebted to Dr. Przemysław Siekierka, who not only patiently and industriously translated my text into English but also (as the first reader of the final version) provided me with helpful advice, especially regarding the subject of ancient religion. At different stages of my studies I was also inspired by conversations I had with other researchers from the Ancient History Department of my Institute – Dr. Maciej Dmochowski, Mr. Marek Dobrzański, Mr. Piotr Głogowski, Dr. Dominika Grzesik, Mr. Michał Halamus, Professor Adam Pałuchowski, Dr. Joanna Porucznik, Dr. Aleksandra Szalc, Mr. Łukasz Szeląg, Dr. Joanna Wilimowska and Dr. Agnieszka Wojciechowska.