File:BeninEmpire1580.png · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Benin Empire
Sign in to saveAlso known as Benin Kingdom, Benin polity, Kingdom of Benin, Benin
West African kingdom (1180–1897)
Key facts
- Status
- Independent until 1897, currently a non-sovereign monarchy within Nigeria
- Capital
- Edo
- Common languages
- Edo
- Religion
- Edo Religion , Catholic Christianity
- Government
- Monarchy
- 1180 1246 first
- Eweka I
- 1888 1897
- Ovonramwen
- 2016 present
- Ewuare II
- Currency
- Cowries
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- realm
- Notable work
- Benin Bronzes
- Country
- Nigeria
- Continent
- Africa
- Capital
- Benin City
- Image
- Benin bronze Louvre A97-14-1.jpg
Show 6 more facts
- Commons category
- Benin Empire
- inception
- 1170-00-00
- dissolved, abolished or demolished date
- 1897-01-01
- described by source
- The Nuttall Encyclopædia
- language used
- Edo
- topic's main category
- Category:Kingdom of Benin
via Wikidata · CC0
~40 min read
Encyclopedic overview
Today part ofNigeria
The Kingdom of Benin or Empire of Benin, also known as Great Benin, is a traditional kingdom in southern Nigeria. It has no historical relation to the modern republic of Benin, which was known as Dahomey from the 17th century until 1975. The Kingdom of Benin's capital was Edo, now known as Benin City in Edo State, Nigeria. 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; it was annexed by the British Empire in 1897, but endured as a non-sovereign monarchy.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Benin Empire” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.