The Votodrones were an ancient Gallic people of Cisalpine Gaul, living near modern Somma Lombardo (Lombardy, northern Italy). They are known from a single Roman-period votive inscription, in which they appear as a community of villagers (vicani).
Name The name is recorded in a votive inscription to Hercules from Somma Lombardo, dated to the 2nd century AD:RAComo 1931, no. 71; Brancato 2024, no. 140.
Xavier Delamarre analyses the name as the Gaulish compound Uoto-drones, which he interprets as 'those who dispute for their rights'. It is formed with uoto- 'right' (cf. Old Irish foth 'right, claim, what is due') attached to -drones 'dispute, combat' (cf. Old Irish drenn 'strife, dispute', Old Breton ardren and Welsh drynni 'combat').
Geography The inscription was found at Somma Lombardo, in the territory of Mediolanum (Transpadana, Regio XI), near Lake Maggiore.
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