瓦莱里奥·曼弗雷迪，Valerio Massimo Manfredi defines himself "Ancient World Topographer". Since 1978 he spends his time teaching in several European universities, digging ruins in the Mediterranean and in the Middle East, and writing wonderful novels. He lives and works in his country house of Piumazzo di Castelfranco Emilia, near Modena.