15th century – 15th century
Southern Nigeria and adjacent Yoruba regions
The Benin state reformed by Ewuare was a centralized Edo polity whose warrior rulers expanded across northern Edo territories and into parts of the Yoruba region. Its political influence extended through conquest, tribute, dynastic prestige, and institutional parallels with neighboring states. The kingdom also became a major center of palace organization, ancestor-related religion, and brass and bronze arts.
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The Story
After Ewuare, a succession of warrior rulers led regular military expeditions into frontier provinces and beyond. Most northern Edo peoples were brought under Benin’s authority, while Benin armies pushed beyond Owo and Akure into Ekiti, where large areas entered a tributary relationship. Ijebu was reputed in Benin to have fallen temporarily under Edo suzerainty, although this claim was not confirmed in Ijebu.
Benin’s influence was not limited to direct conquest. Features of government in Ijebu and Ondo, including the ifore palace association in Ijebu, resembled institutions associated with Benin. These similarities may have resulted from conquest, but neighboring Yoruba states may also have accepted or requested rulers from Benin after Ewuare enhanced the prestige of his dynasty.
The Itsekiri, described here as an eastern branch of the Yoruba, received Ewuare’s grandson Iginua as their ruler. Iginua settled among them with Edo followers and established a kingdom modeled on Benin, while recognizing the seniority of the parent dynasty for many centuries. This episode illustrates how Benin political traditions could spread through dynastic installation as well as military expansion.
Archaeology confirmed traditions attributing the construction of Ewuare’s great wall and a major rebuilding of the palace to the fifteenth century. These works formed part of the material expression of the reformed Benin state and its court-centered political order. The city’s archaeological remains therefore provide evidence for the scale and organization of the kingdom before the sixteenth century.
Benin also became renowned for cire perdue, or lost-wax, casting in brass and bronze. Objects from contexts before the sixteenth century were made by smithing rather than casting, and the casting technique became especially important during the sixteenth century, when large quantities of European brass were imported. The development of this art was closely connected with royal and religious institutions.
15th century – 15th century
Southern Nigeria and adjacent Yoruba regions
The Benin state reformed by Ewuare was a centralized Edo polity whose warrior rulers expanded across northern Edo territories and into parts of the Yoruba region. Its political influence extended through conquest, tribute, dynastic prestige, and institutional parallels with neighboring states. The kingdom also became a major center of palace organization, ancestor-related religion, and brass and bronze arts.
Continue exploring
The Story
After Ewuare, a succession of warrior rulers led regular military expeditions into frontier provinces and beyond. Most northern Edo peoples were brought under Benin’s authority, while Benin armies pushed beyond Owo and Akure into Ekiti, where large areas entered a tributary relationship. Ijebu was reputed in Benin to have fallen temporarily under Edo suzerainty, although this claim was not confirmed in Ijebu.
Benin’s influence was not limited to direct conquest. Features of government in Ijebu and Ondo, including the ifore palace association in Ijebu, resembled institutions associated with Benin. These similarities may have resulted from conquest, but neighboring Yoruba states may also have accepted or requested rulers from Benin after Ewuare enhanced the prestige of his dynasty.
The Itsekiri, described here as an eastern branch of the Yoruba, received Ewuare’s grandson Iginua as their ruler. Iginua settled among them with Edo followers and established a kingdom modeled on Benin, while recognizing the seniority of the parent dynasty for many centuries. This episode illustrates how Benin political traditions could spread through dynastic installation as well as military expansion.
Archaeology confirmed traditions attributing the construction of Ewuare’s great wall and a major rebuilding of the palace to the fifteenth century. These works formed part of the material expression of the reformed Benin state and its court-centered political order. The city’s archaeological remains therefore provide evidence for the scale and organization of the kingdom before the sixteenth century.
Benin also became renowned for cire perdue, or lost-wax, casting in brass and bronze. Objects from contexts before the sixteenth century were made by smithing rather than casting, and the casting technique became especially important during the sixteenth century, when large quantities of European brass were imported. The development of this art was closely connected with royal and religious institutions.