Benin Dates

Ewuare

c1440–c1473

Esigie

c1514–c1550

Orhogbua

c1550–c1578

Ehengbuda

c1578–c1606

Ozolua

c1483–c1514

Mid C15

Benin invaded Akoko and Ekiti, Oyo and Nupe dynasties had been consolidated, Ewuare created the title edaiken

1470s

Portuguese were exploring the Bight of Benin

1484

A Portuguese emissary visited Benin City

End of C15

Ozolua welcomed Portuguese traders

Early C16

Ozolua requested clergy and cannon from Lisbon

1505

Catholic church opened in Benin

1510

Traders from Sao Tome were trading slaves with Benin

1516

Portuguese troops helped Esigie defeat Idah invasion, Esigie defeated Igala

1550s

Coastal lands up to Lagos conquered, the title of ezomo was first used

Early C17

Oba only left the palace on 1-2 special occasions a year

1630s

Iron became a form of currency replacing brass and copper manilas

1689

Civil war started

1693

Edo destroyed

By 1726

Male slaves from outside Benin were being sold at Gwaton

By 1730s

Civil war had ended

Traded goods in the 16th Century

Pepper, tobacco, spices, colanuts, ivory, earthenware, jewelry, artefacts, woven cotton materials, slaves

Conversion to Christianity

Ife-Ife was too strong for the shift to happen. Ozolua started to convert in 1515, and Esigie promised to convert for easy trade and guns.