obas of Benin

factor

political/adminstrative developments

Ewuare’s administrative achievements

orderly line of succession, edaiken, (reemphasised by Ozolua and Ewuakpe), transformed region (potential coup), strenghtned chiefs against palace factions (eghavo n’ore town, eghaevi n’ogbe palace, uzama 6)

role of eghaevo n’ore and eghaevo n’ogbe

effectively civil servants, tax collection and civil disputes

uzama

provided new sense of legitimacy

administration development under Ozolua

reintroduced process of edaikn succeeding father and allocated dukedoms to other sons (less conflict, more stability), plii

Esigie’s adminstative development

iyoba title (cult spiritual backing to legitimacy of oba, less disputes)

Orhogbua administrative development

created ezomo

fac 2

military

Ewuare military development

great warrior king and strategist.- Extended territory Eastwards though threatened by the Nupe, capturing 201 towns and villages. - Name meaning ‘the trouble has ceased’.

Ozolua military developments

fought over, 200 successful battles to subdue rebellions and expand the Edo Empire.

Orhogbua military developments

Conquered all the coastal lands in the 1550’s up to Lagos and set up a Garrison there, created title of ezomo of Benin for maritime commander

importance of Lagos

military defence, look out point, closely monitor Benin’s most important route, territories and population, provide regular backing for the Lagos camp, training ground and weapon store

fac 3

religious/ economic

ewuare religious and economic achievemnts

annual cycle of royal rituals (protect, renew kingdom)- firmly established belief his dynasty was supernaturally gifted, obtained coral

coral

became an important part of royal symbolism (like war campaigns were captured in bronze and brass by Royal brass-smiths

further economic changes under Ewuare

improvements being made to the capital, under his rule that it was renamed Edo and transformed into a large and sophisticated city, expanded road network

contact with Europe

first made under Ewuare-1474 visit to Edo

Esigie economic development

first Oba to commission palace plaques, diplomatic and trade relations (enabled profitable trade)

Orhogbua economic

exploited Edo presence on Lagos Island as means to control trade into the interior

conc

Ewuare- set up basis for further development that fu