Kingdom of Benin
Kingdom of Benin was a state in West Africa coast and forest (North and West Africa) that lasted from c. 1180 to 1897 CE, about 717 years. Its people spoke Niger-Congo languages (Mande, Yoruba, Akan, Fula, Wolof, Igbo (non-Bantu)).
Edo kingdom whose obas built massive earthworks and traded with Portugal from 1486. A British punitive expedition burned Benin City in 1897 and looted thousands of its bronzes.
See Kingdom of Benin on the interactive timeline
Facts
- Dates
- c. 1180 to 1897 CE
- Duration
- 717 years
- Type
- State
- Region
- West Africa coast and forest, North and West Africa
- Language family
- Niger-Congo
- Capital
- Benin City (Edo)
Events in North and West Africa during its time
- Battle of Kirina
- Mansa Musa's pilgrimage
- Black Death reaches Egypt
- Portuguese build Elmina
- Battle of Shimbra Kure
- Battle of Tondibi
- Peak of the Atlantic slave trade
- Napoleon invades Egypt
Neighbours in North and West Africa
- Ghana Empire (Wagadu)
- Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty)
- Mali Empire
- Mamluk Sultanate
- Songhai Empire
- Makuria
- Kanem Empire
- Bornu Empire
- Oyo Empire
- Ife
Elsewhere in the world at the same time
- Republic of Venice
- Byzantine Empire
- Byzantine Empire
- Swahili city-states
- Holy Roman Empire
- Srivijaya
- Khmer Empire
- Ottoman Empire
- Ottoman Empire
- Portuguese Empire
Questions
When did Kingdom of Benin exist?
c. 1180 to 1897 CE, about 717 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.
Where was Kingdom of Benin?
West Africa coast and forest, in North and West Africa. Its capital was Benin City (Edo).
What language did Kingdom of Benin speak?
Niger-Congo. This family includes Mande, Yoruba, Akan, Fula, Wolof, Igbo (non-Bantu).