The Benin Empire (1440-1897) is not to be confused with the Afican country Benin. Instead, it was a large pre-colonial African state of Modern. The Bini are the original people within the empire and they were ruled by the Ogisos (the kings of the Sky). There were 36 Ogiso's and during the reign of the last Ogiso, his son,, Ekaladerhan was banished. He traveled to Youruba and gainged the title of Ooni of Ife, which he caged to 'Izoduwa' (which means "I have chosen the path of prosperity). After the death of his father, the Benin chiefs traveled to Yoruba to ask him to return and become the next King. However, he declined and decided to send his son Oranyan. Oranyan had reigned in Benin for soe years but went back to Yoruba in anger and called Benin 'Ile Ibinu' ('land of annoyance and veexation). The former name of Ile Ibinu later became known as Ubini and the Portuguese corrupted the name and it finally became Benin or Bini. By the 1440s an oba by the name of Oba Ewuare began to be king and made the city into an empire. He named it Edo around 1470.

During the Golden Age, Oba Ewuare was know for turning the Benin Empire into a military fortress that was protected by moats and walls. With the Benin Empire gaining such strength, the Edos were able to expand through the east and southwestern Nigeria (modern day Benin Republic), Togo, and Ghana. The Kingdom of Benin developed an advanced artistic culture for its bronze, iron, and ivory artifacts.

The Portuguese came to Benin in 1485 and quickly began to start a European trade of tropical products and slaves in exchange gor European guns and goods. In 1953, the first English traveled to Benin. It was then that the Benin Empire and the Portuguese established a strong trade of: 20% Ivory, 30% Slaves, and 50% other things.

The Benin city and empire declined after 1700, but was able to rise again through the trading of palm oil, enslaved captives, and textiles. In order to preserve its independence, the Oba slowly began to ban the export of goods from Benin until only palm oil could be traded. In 1897, the British took a 'Punitive Expedition' to Benin, because the Benin Emmpire refused to sign a treaty with Great Britain. Therefore, the British force captured and burned the city.