The article discusses themes relating to the historiographic tradition of Italy in the Horn of Africa and highlights the lack, in Italy, of a historiography related to matters of the environment and ecology. The differences between European and Italian historiography in this regard are stressed, and the latest developments in research are analysed. The article also discusses the three areas considered in this special issue - Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia - and outlines the main themes covered in the various essays with reference to the most recent international studies.