A Switzerland-born Italian journalist and author, I studied theological philosophy and law. I've worked as an editor, writer and correspondent in London, Brussels, Milan and Venice.
In ancient maps from the Roman era, African regions about which there was no information were identified by the Latin inscription HIC SUNT LEONES (here there are lions), according to Cesare Marchi's book "Siamo tutti latinisti" (1986). The reason for the inscription was to warn the potential traveller of dangers that he may encounter in the unmapped areas.