Booming Benin The Kingdom of Benin has its roots as far back as 2000 years ago when the first Ogiso kings ruled the Edo people. From around AD 900, the kingdom started to develop and boundaries were established around the region. Over time, Benin developed into a thriving civilisation and the kingdom was at its height from around AD 1300 – 1700, this era is known as the ‘Golden Age’… So how and why Benin did grow into such a successful kingdom?

In this PowerPoint you will discover the answer… What is an Empire? Throughout history countries have wanted to conquer and control lands beyond their own borders. When they achieve this is is called an empire. An empire will often impose its rule on peoples of different cultures and ethnic backgrounds with different political systems.

Usually, an empire has one supreme ruler. The ruler of an empire is sometimes called an emperor. If you have internet access, it will be more meaningful for you to discover things for yourself…

Search BBC Schools Benin on your browser. Once there, look at ‘The Kingdom of Benin’ and read ‘How did Benin become an empire?’ Note down the important information.

If internet is tricky for you, this information is also on the next slide… From BBC Schools: How did Benin become an empire? Around 1440, Ewuare became the new Oba of Benin. He built up an army and started winning land. He also rebuilt Benin City and the royal palace.

Oba Ewuare was the first of five great warrior kings. His son Oba Ozolua was believed to have won 200 battles.

He was followed by Oba Esigie who expanded his kingdom eastwards to form an empire and won land from the Kingdom of Ife. Ozolua and Esigie both encouraged trade with the Portuguese. They used their wealth from trade to build up a vast army.

The fourth warrior king was Oba Orhogbua. During his reign, the empire reached its largest size. It stretched beyond the River Niger in the east and extended west as far as present-day Ghana. ACTIVITY: The Growth of an Empire (You will need the ‘Growth of an Empire’ sheet for this…) Activity 1. Read the statements. Pick out the statements that aren’t relevant. 2. Now order the relevant ones from most to least important in terms of why Benin grew into such a successful kingdom? 3. Add any more reasons or details of your own.

• Benin had skilled craftsmen and women. • The Kingdom traded goods with other countries. • There were no schools and people did not read or write. • Farming of the land produced a multitude of healthy and delicious crops. • From around AD 1180, the Edo people were ruled by kings called Obas. • The Benin Kingdom had a large, powerful army. • A large mound of earth was built around the Kingdom. • The history of the Kingdom was passed down through storytellers. • Smaller tribes joined together to form a bigger group of people. Something to think about…

This brass plaque shows the Oba, or King, of Benin and his attendants.

Why do you think the Oba is shown to be much bigger than the other people? The Growth of an Empire Answers You are looking for the most to least important factors in terms of why Benin grew into a such a successful kingdom:

Some of the most important factors: (in no particular order) • The Benin Kingdom had a large, powerful army. • Smaller tribes joined together to form a bigger group of people. • The Kingdom traded goods with other countries. • Farming of the land produced a multitude of healthy and delicious crops. • From around AD 1180, the Edo people were ruled by kings called Obas. • A large mound of earth was built around the Kingdom. • Benin had skilled craftsmen and women.

Some of the less important factors: (in no particular order) • There were no schools and people did not read or write. • The history of the kingdom was passed down through storytellers.