Zotto (also
Zotton or
Zottone) was the military leader () of the
Lombards in the
Mezzogiorno. He is generally considered the founder of the
Duchy of Benevento in 571 and its first
duke : “
…Fuit autem primus Langobardorum dux in Benevento nomine Zotto, qui in ea principatus est per curricula viginti annorum…” (
Pauli Diaconi Historiae Langobardorum - Liber Tertius).
With his troops, he penetrated
Campania in August 570, confronting the
Byzantines, whom he defeated consistently. He fixed his camp in
Benevento, which became the capital of the new duchy. He tried to take
Naples, but failed and had to lift the
siege (581).
As a duke he was quasi-independent, the north of the peninsula being under the control of the Lombard king
Authari, who had little influence in the south. He finally submitted to royal authority in 589.
He died in 591 and was succeeded by
Arechis.