I am a historian of science specializing in the history of astronomy and its material culture. My research focuses on the dynamic formation of astral knowledge within ancient sociopolitical and cultural contexts, as well as through cross-cultural exchanges. I follow an interdisciplinary approach that draws on classics, ancient science, archaeology, and digital humanities.
I am currently completing a monograph, which explores the production and dissemination of astral knowledge in the Hellenistic world. The study demonstrates how Aratus’ poem Phaenomena, the political agenda of the Antigonid dynasty, and the creation of celestial globes and astral-themed artistic objects shaped Hellenistic astronomical traditions. I am also involved in collaborative projects on numismatics and tombs featuring astral imagery, as well as on the concept of space from antiquity to modern times.
I have taught and conducted research in Athens, London, New York, Zurich, and Berlin. Prior to joining the Classics Department, I led the working group Heavens in Your Hand at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin, where I remain an affiliated researcher.
- B.A., Deparrtment of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Athens
- M.A., Deparrtment of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Athens
- Ph.D., Centre for the the History of Science, Technology and Medicine, Imperial College, University of London
Education & Training
Books
Stamatina Mastorakou, Crafting the Heavens in the Hellenistic Era: Aratus’ Phaenomena and the Making of Celestial Globes (book proposal submitted).
John Tresch, Vladimir Brljak, Stamatina Mastorakou, Veronica della Dora (eds.), Space in Time: From the Heavens to Outer Space (manuscript prepared for submission).
Stamatina Mastorakou, Hellenistic Astronomy: Aratus’ Phaenomena (Ελληνιστική Αστρονομία: τα Φαινόμενα του Άρατου), Crete University Press (in print).
Rana Brentjes, Sonja Brentjes, Stamatina Mastorakou (eds.), Imagining the Heavens across Eurasia from Antiquity to Early Modernity, Mimesis, 2024.
Stamatina Mastorakou, Living Language: Greek, Random House, 2013.
Papers and Chapters
Stamatina Mastorakou, “The Zodiac in Poetry and Material Culture in Hellenistic Times”. In M. Ossendrijver, A. Winkler, Imagining the Sky. The Zodiac and Related Astral Imagery in the Ancient World, Cambridge University Press (accepted).
Mastorakou, Stamatina. "Pop-Up Astronomy: Celestial Wonders in Books". in Über Bücher. 101 Texte Und Bilder Für Michael Hagner, Hg. Von Ines Barner, Stephan Graf, Nils Güttler, Niki Rhyner, Vera Wolff Und Monika Wulz, Wallstein Verlag, 2025.
Stamatina Mastorakou, “Visualization of Astronomical Knowledge in Hellenistic Times: Aratus, Urania and the Celestial Globe”. In R. Brentjes, S. Brentjes, S. Mastorakou (eds.), Imagining the Heavens across Eurasia from Antiquity to Early Modernity, Mimesis, 2024, 91-104.
Stamatina Mastorakou, “Ancient Globes of Larissa”, Globe Studies. The Journal of the International Coronelli Society68, 2023, 115-126.
Stamatina Mastorakou, “Antike Globen in Larissa”, Der Globusfreund. Wissenschaftliche Zeitschrift für Globenkunde 68, 2023, 117-128.
Stamatina Mastorakou, “Aratus and the Popularization of Hellenistic Astronomy”. In .C. Bowen and F.Rochberg (eds.), Ancient Astronomy in Its Mediterranean Contexts (300 BC – 300 AD), ABrill, 2020, 383-397.
Stamatina Mastorakou, “Aratus’ Phaenomena beyond its sources”, Aestimatio, 2020, 1:55-70.
Stamatina Mastorakou, “Greek Constellations”. In C. Ruggles (ed.), Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy, Springer, 2014, 1549-1554.
Recent Activities
Invited Talks
“Forging the Cosmos: The Changing Epistemic Values of Celestial Globes across the Mediterranean”, Making and Unmaking Value II: Transformations Through Space, Harvard University, April 2026
“Astral Knowledge in Ancient Greece”, Origins of Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh Library, April 2026
“The emergence of a three-dimensional sky in the Hellenistic Age”, History and Philosophy of Science Department, University of Pittsburgh, February 2026
“Astral Science, Cosmology, and Common Knowledge of Historical China and Beyond” , Summer School (MPG-CAS), Peking University, China, August 2025
Organized Workshops and Conferences
Library Event: “Origins of Astronomy Week”, University Library System, University of Pittsburgh, April 2026
International Workshop: “Rethinking Planetary and Sustainability Governance through Cosmological Imaginaries”, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht, Netherlands, October 2025 and December 2025
Research Interests
Ancient Science and Technology, History of Astronomy, Digital Humanities, Material Culture, Hellenistic History, Cross-cultural exchanges, Space in Time, Cosmology, Aratus, Globes, Numismatics, Tombs