Redones

The Redones were a Gallic tribe inhabiting the region of present-day Brittany in France during the Iron Age and Roman period. Their territory corresponded roughly to the modern area around Rennes (Condate Redonum, their principal settlement, now Rennes).

The Redones are mentioned by Julius Caesar in his Commentarii de Bello Gallico (Gallic Wars) as one of the Armorican tribes who resisted Roman expansion. They were allied with other tribes, including the Veneti, in a coalition against Roman control. The Redones contributed to the naval warfare against Caesar, highlighting their maritime capabilities, though they were ultimately defeated.

After the Roman conquest, the territory of the Redones became part of the Roman province of Gallia Lugdunensis. Their chief town, Condate Redonum, became an important Roman administrative center and a significant urban settlement. Roman influence is evident in the archaeological remains found in and around Rennes, indicating a degree of Romanization within the tribal territory.

The Redones, like other Gallic tribes, eventually assimilated into Roman society, adopting aspects of Roman culture and governance. However, they retained a distinct identity, as evidenced by inscriptions and other archaeological finds that demonstrate the continuation of indigenous religious practices and social structures alongside Roman influences. Their name survives in the modern name of Rennes, providing a lasting link to their historical presence in the region.