Editorial Statement
The new journal "Almagest" considers the history of science both as a history of ideas and as an activity that takes place in institutional and social context. In discussing the history of scientific ideas, the journal addresses the philosophical assumptions underpinning the ideas as well as the scientific developments themselves; it also addresses the influence of the historical context on these ideas.

Several historians of science believe nowadays that a proper understanding of scientific accomplishments requires a deep appreciation of their situation in time and place. As a result, historians have increasingly shifted the emphasis from universal validity to the local particularity of the most important developments of science. And yet, despite some pioneering efforts from the 1930s through the 1950s and important developments in historiography of science since then, a cross-culturally comparative perspective (for example, on why modern science emerged in a specific region and time) is still in its infancy. Acknowledging this lacuna, and recognizing the potential applications of such an approach, the journal aspires to publish history of science papers which will contribute to a better understanding of some of the major issues concerning contemporary cultural conflicts, multiculturalism and globalisation.

One of the defining features of the journal’s approach to the history of science is the belief that the history of scientific ideas, of research priorities, of conceptualizations of nature, and of the various external factors that are associated with scientific discoveries are deeply related to History, generally construed, and to cultural and socio-economic parameters. Following this approach, the journal invites papers on the history of scientific ideas in specific regions or related to a specific cultural context (for example, papers on science and religion). It also invites papers on the relations of scientific ideas to the material civilization, in particular to scientific instruments.

Among the goals of the journal is to devote a substantial part to the promotion of teaching of history of science, by advocating its utilization in science courses of all levels of education (from elementary school to university) and in programmes for the preparation of science teachers. It is a firm belief of our editorial board that historians of science can contribute substantially to the scientific education of both students and the general public, especially at a time when debates over "intelligent design" are raising major questions not only over what counts as science but also on what ought to be available to students in their school curricula. The journal, therefore, invites papers on the utilization of history of science in science education.

Last but not least, Amagest is edited by the network of history of science of Southeastern Europe, and therefore it aims to constitute a forum for the historians of science in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. Almagest will promote their research and make it known to the international community of historians of science.