Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley door pickup 10am - 7pm 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611

  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
The Kingdom of Benin: Rise and Fall of the Edo Empire and the Story Behind Its Extraordinary Cultural Legacy

The Kingdom of Benin: Rise and Fall of the Edo Empire and the Story Behind Its Extraordinary Cultural Legacy

Lambert, Sarah

Paperback

African HistoryAncient History General

ISBN13: 9798192418529
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Aug 13 2026
Pages: 170
Weight: 0.47
Height: 0.43 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Before Benin City became a symbol of a lost kingdom, it was the heart of a powerful world that had already survived centuries of change.

What you are about to discover will change how you see the Kingdom of Benin.

From its mysterious beginnings in Igodomigodo and the ancient traditions of the Ogiso Dynasty to the rise of the Obas, this book follows the remarkable development of a kingdom that grew from a collection of towns and villages into a powerful and diverse empire.

Discover the political struggles that shaped the royal dynasty, the rise of Ewuare, the reforms that strengthened the monarchy, and the expansion that transformed Benin from a city-state into an imperial power.

Few people know the full story behind the extraordinary Iya earthworks, the remarkable city of Great Benin, its royal palace, and the skilled brass, ivory, and wood craftsmen whose work preserved the memory of generations of Obas.

Then comes the dramatic turning point of 1897.

Learn how growing tensions with Britain led to the Punitive Expedition, the capture and burning of Benin City, and the scattering of its treasured artworks across the world. But the story does not end with destruction.

The hidden truth behind Benin's fall is also a story of survival. The Oba institution endured, Edo identity remained, and the continuing return of Benin's artworks offers a new chapter in the story of a remarkable cultural heritage.

Why does this history matter? Because understanding Benin means looking beyond the destruction of one city and discovering the centuries of political organization, architecture, art, memory, conflict, and resilience that came before it.

What will you gain? A clearer understanding of the dynasties, rulers, empire, city, artistic traditions, European contact, destruction, and enduring legacy that shaped Benin's history.

Whether you are fascinated by African history, ancient kingdoms, royal traditions, architecture, cultural heritage, or the stories behind the world's most remarkable historical collections, this book offers an engaging journey through the rise, transformation, fall, and survival of the Kingdom of Benin.

Ready to uncover the story of a kingdom that endured? Get your copy today and begin the journey.

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