ABSTRACT
In the early seventeenth century, three major kingdoms flourished in the territory that is presently known as Benin: the kingdoms of Ardra, Jakin and Dahomey. By the eighteenth century, the powerful Dahomey nation - interested in selling slaves to European traders - began to assert power over the whole area including its Ardra and Jakin neighbours. In 1738, however, the Yoruba overthrew them and for the next hundred years tributes were paid to the Yoruhas by the Dahomians.
