{"product_id":"the-benin-kingdom-frederick-amakom-9798185168981","title":"The Benin Kingdom: The Rise, Glory, Fall, and Enduring Legacy of One of Africa's Greatest Civilizations","description":"\u003cp\u003eLong before European colonialism reached West Africa, the Benin Kingdom stood as one of the world's most sophisticated civilizations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHidden within the rainforests of present-day southern Nigeria, Benin built a powerful monarchy, planned magnificent cities, engineered vast defensive earthworks, established one of Africa's most effective systems of government, and produced works of art so extraordinary that they changed the world's understanding of African civilization.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the remarkable story of that kingdom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the mysterious era of the Ogisos to the rise of the Oba dynasty, from the genius of Ewuare the Great to the Golden Age of Ozolua and Esigie, from the grandeur of Benin City to the tragic British invasion of 1897, this book traces the complete history of one of humanity's most remarkable civilizations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInside, you will discover: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The origins of the Edo people and the founding of the Benin Kingdom\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The Ogiso dynasty and the transition to the Oba monarchy\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The legendary stories of Ekaladerhan, Oduduwa, and Oranmiyan\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The reigns of Benin's greatest rulers, including Ewuare the Great, Ozolua, Esigie, and Ovonramwen\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The government, military, laws, economy, and daily life of the kingdom\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The magnificent city that astonished European visitors\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The famous Benin Bronzes and the royal guilds that created them\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Benin's diplomatic and commercial relations with Portugal and the wider world\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The Atlantic slave trade-separating historical fact from myth\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The British Punitive Expedition of 1897 and the destruction of Benin City\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The continuing story of the Oba, the Edo people, and the global movement to restore the Benin Bronzes\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing upon oral traditions, archaeology, historical records, and modern scholarship, this book presents a balanced, accessible, and compelling account of Benin's history. It celebrates the kingdom's extraordinary achievements while carefully distinguishing established evidence from enduring tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you are interested in African history, world civilizations, archaeology, art history, or the story of pre-colonial Nigeria, \u003ci\u003eThe Benin Kingdom\u003c\/i\u003e offers an unforgettable journey through more than a thousand years of political genius, artistic brilliance, military strength, and cultural resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Benin Kingdom was not a forgotten civilization. It was one of Africa's greatest-and it deserves its rightful place in world history.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Frederick Amakom\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798185168981\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 270\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.73lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.67d","brand":"Frederick Amakom","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":49002113040639,"sku":"9798185168981","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-benin-kingdom-frederick-amakom-9798185168981","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}