The Kingdom of Benin was a widespread empire that flourished from the 14th to the 19th century. At its maximum extent the Kingdom extended from Onitsha in the east, through the forested southwestern region of Nigeria and into the present-day nation of Benin. Its capital was located at Benin City. Ruled by the Oba of Benin, the kingdom is most famous for its treasured artifacts in bronze, iron and ivory, including bronze wall plaques and the life-sized bronze heads of kings of Benin.
The first European travelers to reach Benin were the Portuguese explorers in about 1485. A strong mercantile relationship developed the Portuguese and Benin Kingdom. The Portugese traded European goods and guns for tropical products . In the early 16th century the Oba sent an ambassador to Lisbon, and the king of Portugal sent Christian missionaries to Benin.
The first English expedition to Benin was in 1553; and a significant trade soon grew up between England and Benin based on the export of ivory, palm-oil and pepper. The sons and daughters of the great empire are the touch bearers of Edo State in Nigeria
Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benin_kingdom
