Ewuare

Ewuare (also known as Ewuare the Great or Ewuare I), originally known as Prince Ogun, was the twelfth Oba of the Benin Empire from 1440 until 1473. Ewuare became king in a violent coup against his brother Uwaifiokun which destroyed much of Benin City. After the war, Ewuare rebuilt much of the city of Benin, reformed political structures in the kingdom, greatly expanded the territory of the kingdom, and fostered the arts and festivals. He left a significant legacy in the Kingdom of Benin. Ewuare was most likely born in the Benin Royal Palace in Benin City and he wasn’t proclaimed heir. Originally named Prince Ogun, he was an insignificant member of the royal house, even challenged from birth. Ewuare's name means "the trouble has ceased", referring to when he finally gained the throne after rebelling against Uwaifiokun. During his reign, Edo was rebuilt and possibly started the construction of the Benin Moats. He was the founder of Benin's "Imperial Era" and expanded the Benin Empire in all directions. He was also the first Oba to meet the Portuguese in 1473. He was a key general and from oral history, recounted 201 victories against other cities and states. Gaining power after seizing the throne from Uwaifiokun in 1440, he reformed the administration of the Benin Empire and transformed it into an imperial state through conquest. He was the first Oba to establish limited trade with the Portuguese in 1473 and gradually began to acquire firearms for the empire. His early reforms and developments are seen as early acts of indigenous modernization in Africa.