Benin

Benin was an Edo kingdom in southern Nigeria, ruled by an Oba from Ubini, later Benin City. Its dynasty traced its origins to the Yoruba prince Oranmiyan of Ife.

In 1440 Oba Ewuare transformed the kingdom, expanding it from a city-state into an empire. Portuguese traders reached the court in 1485, exchanging European goods for ivory, pepper and slaves. In the early 16th century, Queen Idia helped her son Esigie defeat an Igala invasion.