Writers 
Benin was perhaps one of the best known kingdoms along the West African coast. It was founded by the Edo people at about the 12th century. By the 14th century, the Benin kingdom had evolved a monarchical form of government. The Benin historian, Jacob Egharevba recorded that the Benin people came from Egypt. Other sources claim that they also came from the East, as the Yoruba. Even one version lists Oba of Benin as one of the children of Oduduwa.
Oral tradition claims that the first set of rulers of Benin were called the Ogiso, meaning rulers of the sky. The first of the Ogiso rulers was called Obagodo. He was believed to have promoted the development of arts, crafts and industry particularly wood works. But the Ogiso rule was believed to be autocratic, harsh and high-handed. According to Egharevba, the rule of the Ogiso or early kings was apparently so unsatisfactory that the Bini tried to set up an alternative nonhereditary republican type of government.
After a short spell, the people of Benin sent to Ife to demand for a prince to rule over them. Oduduwa sent one of his sons Oranmiyan who left for Ife after staying in Benin for a brief period. He found the Benin difficult to govern. He was convinced that only an indigene could successfully govern the people. He therefore vacated the throne in favour of his son born to the throne by one of the daughters of a Benin chief. The child named Eweka became the founder of the Eweka dynasty. Benin has continued to maintain her spiritual and cultural ties with Ile-Ife in both ritual practices and coronation ceremonies of their respective rulers. The similarities between the political institutions of Benin and those of the Yoruba had tended to suggest that they had a common origin.
The rise of Benin kingdom was due to many factors. These include the dynastic continuity in which succession to the throne was by primogeniture. This stipulates that the eldest son was to succeed to his father's throne; a trend which ensured stability. This system is similar to the British monarchy which still exists to date. Benin also evolved a centralized form of administration with an elaborate governmental system based on title holders. Benin also had easy access to the coast through the port of Gwatto from where she established profitable trade relations with the Europeans.
Benin was also blessed with the succession of powerful rulers. Foremost among them was Oba Ewuare the Great (1440-1473). He was credited with the expansion of Benin kingdom which later became an empire. He was involved in many wars and brought about 201 towns and villages under the Benin rule. During his reign, Benin extended his control to Ekiti, Akoko, to the north and also eastward across the Niger to Onitsha. He widened the roads of Benin and improved those linking other parts of his domain with the capital. Ewuare was the first Oba to receive the Europeans in Benin in 1472. No less important were Oba Ogunola, who introduced brass cutting from Ile-Ife. Oba Ozolua (1481-1500) who did not only consolidate the achievement of Ewuare established regular trade in agricultural commodities with the Portuguese. Oba Oghogbua (1550-1578) made Ughoton an important entry port of trade. He was also reported to have extended Benin Empire to Lagos and even beyond. From the above therefore, it cannot be denied that the phenomenal expansion of the Benin empire was also intricately linked with the succession of capable rulers.
Benin Empire flourished until 1897 when the British forcefully entered Benin town, destroyed it and sent Oba Owuweramwe into exile in Calabar. For seventeen years, Benin people resisted the British effort to destroy the monarchy until the Oba died in exile and his son was installed as Oba according to the wish of the people.
Benin works of arts rank among the best in the world. The knowledge is believed to have been brought from Ile-Ife. The artists excelled in terms of the sophistication of their woods and irons carving. It is the artistry of the Benin carvers that has won them worldwide reputation. Bronze casting was a royal monopoly and it relied on the uses of lost-wax method. Today, several Benin works of arts are found in museums all over the world.
