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Benin Civilization Timeline

The Benin Kingdom originated around 40 BC when villages joined together to form Igodomigodo, ruled by the Ogiso kings. From 1100 AD, commoner administrators ruled until 1200 AD when Prince Oranmiyan established the Oba dynasty. The kingdom expanded across West Africa until the 16th century under strong warrior kings. However, turmoil in the 17th century weakened the kingdom. In 1897, the British sacked Benin, burning the royal palace and looting artifacts. The kingdom was dissolved and incorporated into British Nigeria.

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4K views4 pages

Benin Civilization Timeline

The Benin Kingdom originated around 40 BC when villages joined together to form Igodomigodo, ruled by the Ogiso kings. From 1100 AD, commoner administrators ruled until 1200 AD when Prince Oranmiyan established the Oba dynasty. The kingdom expanded across West Africa until the 16th century under strong warrior kings. However, turmoil in the 17th century weakened the kingdom. In 1897, the British sacked Benin, burning the royal palace and looting artifacts. The kingdom was dissolved and incorporated into British Nigeria.

Uploaded by

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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Benin civilization

Timeline
The Ogiso
period

40BC

A group of villages join together to form


Igodomigodo.
They are ruled by the Ogiso or the sky
kings.

800AD

Construction of a defensive moat begins


around Igodomigodo.
31 Ogiso kings in total rule.

1100 AD

The last Ogiso King is banished.

The Oba

1100

Commoner administrators rule Igodomigodo

era

1200

Prince Oranmiyan changes the name of


Igodomigodo to Ile Ibinu.

1200 - 1235

Eweka I begins the Oba era.

1255 -1280

Oba Ewedo changes the name of the


kingdom from Ile Ibinu to Ubini.
The Portuguese are later to corrupt this
name to Bini.

1280 - 1295

Oba Oguola completes the 1st and the 2nd


moat.
He engages in numerous wars.

1299 - 1334

During the reign of Oba Udagbedo Ubini

kingdom has expanded right across the


West African coast to Ghana.
1440 1473

Oba Ewuare the Great becomes the first


warrior king. He promotes brass casting.
He receives the first European visitor.

1472

Ruy De Sequire visits Benin city.


Ivory and wood carving become royal art.

1504 1550

Reign of Oba EsigieHe could speak, read and write Portuguese

The golden

fluently.
The kingdom is further expanded across

age

the West African coast.


Christianity is established in Edo Kingdom.
Many churches and the first cathedral are
built in Edo kingdom.
Many ambassadors are exchanged with the
king of Portugal.
The position of Queen Mother (Iyoba) is
created.

1550 -1578

Oba Orhogbua is educated in the


Portuguese educational system.
The kingdom is expanded westwards and
Lagos is founded.

1553

British explorers like Windham start to

visit Edo land.


1578 - 1606

Troubled

1641

Oba Ehengbuda becomes the first Oba to


receive English explorers. He is the 5 th and
last warrior king of the kingdom.
No royal successor for the throne,
power struggles and infighting between
chiefs begin to weaken the kingdom.

Times
1641 1661

The kingdoms treasures are wasted and


gambled away during Oba Ahenzaes reign.

1700 1712

Turmoil in the kingdom, the subjects revolt


against the reign of king Oba Ewuakpe.

1712 1713

Civil war breaks out in the kingdom.

1735 - 1750

During Oba Eresoyens reign, prosperity


returns to Benin once more.
A banking system called Owigho (house of

New era

Late 1800s

money) is established.
Events in Europe (scramble for Africa)
interfere with Benin progress.

1897

The British sack Benin. They burn down the


palace and loot the Benin Bronze plaques.
Oba Ovoranmwen is exiled. He dies in exile
in 1914.
British rule is imposed on the kingdom. This
ends the kingdom.

1914

Britain restore the Benin throne but


without a kingdom to rule.

The Benin Kingdom is amalgamated into


Nigeria as part of British interest areas of
Southern and Northern Nigeria by
Frederick Lugard.
Present day

The Nigeria government has jurisdiction


over all of Nigeria.

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