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Dr. Zoe Ortiz

Assistant Professor

University of North Texas

Department of History

Email: Zoe.Ortiz@unt.edu

Education

  • MA, University of Michigan, 2023
    Major: Classical Studies-Latin
  • PhD, University of Michigan, 2023
    Major: Classical Art and Archaeology
    Dissertation: The Sculptures and Urban Landscapes of Imperial Gabii: A City in Transition
  • Certificate, University of Michigan, 2020
    Major: Museum Studies

Professional Positions

    Academic - Post-Secondary

  • Assistant Professor, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (2023 - Present).

Professional Memberships

  • Archaeological Institute of America. (January 1, 2020 - Present).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

    University of North Texas

  • HIST 3303 - The Roman Republic and Augustus, 3 courses.
  • HIST 3620 - Nazism: Symbolism and Archaeology, 2 courses.
  • HIST 4004 - The Roman Empire, 3 courses.
  • HIST 4900 - Special Problems, 1 course.
  • HIST 5010 - Studies in Ancient History, 2 courses.
  • HIST 5020 - Seminar in Ancient History, 1 course.

Directed Student Learning

  • Dissertation Committee Member, History. (August 1, 2023).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, History. (August 1, 2023 - May 1, 2024).

Awards and Honors

  • Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, UNT History Department. (2025).
  • Honors College Course Development Grant, Honors College, UNT. (2025).
  • Teaching Initiative Microgrant, UNT History. (2025).
  • Fulbright Research Grant, Fulbright Commission. (February 1, 2020).

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Book Chapter

  • Ortiz, Z. (2023). Hamilton's Forum: A New Center for a Shifting City. Banducci, L. & D’Acri, M. (Eds.) Gabii through its Artefacts. ArchaeoPress..

Presentations Given

    Invited Talk

  • Ortiz, Z. (Author & Presenter), Wednesday Series: Art in Context, Reframing Roman Marble: Gabii, Visconti, and the Torlonia Connection, Kimbell Museum, Fortworth, Texas, United States of America. (2025).
  • Ortiz, Z. (Author & Presenter), Archaeological Institute of America Speaker Series, By the Example of Remarkable Women: The Urban Revival of Gabii, Oklahoma University, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America. (2025).
  • Ortiz, Z. (Author & Presenter), Convict Kings and Ancient Computers: Eclipses throughout Antiquity, UNT History and College of Science, Denton, Texas, United States of America. (2024).
  • Ortiz, Z. (Author & Presenter), The Origins of the Forum and Basilica, New Investigations on Gabii’s "Hamilton’s Forum", ROme, Italy, Italy. (2023).

Media Contributions

    Internet

  • "Connecting ancient beliefs to today's understanding of eclipses," UNT News. (March 7, 2024).

    • Newspaper

  • "Watch the moon turn red during a total lunar eclipse in March," Associated Press. (2025).
  • "What's the history behind popular solar eclipse myths and superstitions?," Dallas Morning News. (March 20, 2024).

    • Other

  • "Total Eclipse of the Start," Happy Friday North Texas. (March 29, 2024).

Service

University Service

  • Committee Member, Graduate Affairs Committee. (September 2025 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Department Engagement and Culture Committee. (January 2024 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Public History Search Committee. (August 2024 - December 2024).
  • Faculty Advisor, Classics Minor. (2023 - 2024).

Professional Service

  • Manager, The Gabii Project. Rome, (2024 - Present).