The Benin Kingdom was one of the oldest and most developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa. It grew out of the previous Edo Kingdom of Igodomigodo around the 11th century AD; [ 5 ] it was annexed by the British Empire in 1897.

The Benin Empire or Edo Empire (1440-1897), also known as the Kingdom of Benin, was a large pre-colonial African state of modern Nigeria. There is still an Oba, or king, although currently his role is mainly symbolic. The first Oba was Eweka I who died in 1246.

Feb 24, 2025 · Benin, one of the principal historic kingdoms of the western African forest region (fl. 13th–19th century). Tradition asserts that the Edo people became dissatisfied with the rule of a dynasty of semimythical kings, the ogisos, and in the 13th century they invited Prince Oranmiyan of …

Apr 2, 2019 · The Kingdom of Benin, located in the southern forests of West Africa (modern Nigeria) and formed by the Edo people, flourished from the 13th to 19th century CE.

Oct 19, 2023 · The historical kingdom of Benin was established in the forested region of West Africa in the 1200s C.E. According to history, the Edo people of southern Nigeria founded Benin. They no longer wanted to be ruled by their kings, known as the ogisos. They asked a prince from Ife, an important West African kingdom, to take control.

As a political unit, Benin was created by the French colonial conquest at the end of the 19th century. In the precolonial period, the territory comprised a multiplicity of independent states, differing in language and culture.

Mar 1, 2025 · The Benin Empire was a powerful and well-organised kingdom in what is now Edo State, Nigeria. It was ruled by the Oba, had skilled artists, strong warriors, and traded with different parts of the world.

The Benin Kingdom was “one of the oldest and most highly developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa, dating perhaps to the eleventh century CE”, until it was annexed by the British Empire in 1897.

Aug 18, 2018 · The Benin Empire was one of the most powerful, pre-colonial African states known for its rejection of the transatlantic trade of enslaved people.

The empire of Benin reached the peak of its power and prosperity in the 16th and 17th century. At the height of its power, it stretched from the Niger in East to the west across Lagos. Benin enclosed a large part of Yoruba land.