Complete History of the Benin Empire and Its Territories
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Benin was a pre-colonial African country founded in 1300 AD. The territory of this kingdom was located in the south-central part of Nigeria (present-day). Until the end of the 19th century this empire became one of the main powers in West Africa. According to one witness named Olfert Dapper, in one day the King of Benin could prepare 20,000 men to fight and even in critical conditions could prepare 180,000 men, because he had great influence among the nations around him. His power stretched across cities and villages. No other king around him at that time had as many beautiful cities as the King of Benin.
Territory of the Kingdom of Benin
When European merchant ships began to visit West Africa from the 15th century onwards, it was the Benin Empire that had the control to control trade between the African interior and Europe. When the British tried to expand their own trade in the 19th century, Benin soldiers killed their envoys.
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