Dahomey

Dahomey arose around 1600 among the Fon on the Abomey plateau in present-day Benin, as an offshoot of the royal dynasty of Allada. King Houegbadja built the royal palaces at Abomey and expanded beyond the plateau during his reign from about 1645 to 1685.

His grandson Agaja conquered Whydah in 1727, giving Dahomey access to the Atlantic slave trade. Dahomey's armies included a corps of women soldiers; under King Ghezo, who came to the throne in 1818, their military organisation was strengthened.