Dynasty of Igodo | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ekaladerhan (also spelt as Ikhaladerhan), the son of Owodo[a] | |||||||||
| Status | Monarchy | ||||||||
| Capital | Udo (initial), Benin City (later) | ||||||||
| Common languages | Edo language | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| Ogiso (King) | |||||||||
• c. 900 AD | Igodo (first) | ||||||||
• | Ere | ||||||||
• | Owodo (last) | ||||||||
| Historical era | Ancient History | ||||||||
• Establishment of the Ogiso Dynasty | 900 AD | ||||||||
• Transition to the Oba Dynasty | 12th century | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Today part of | Nigeria | ||||||||
The Dynasty of Igodo, also known as the Ogiso Dynasty, was the earliest known ruling dynasty of the Edo people founded by Igodo, the first Ogiso of Igodomigodo. The dynasty began around 900 AD and lasted until the early 12th century, when it was succeeded by the Oba Dynasty. The Ogiso Dynasty significantly influenced the early sociopolitical structure of the region by introducing centralised governance and laying the foundations for the Benin Empire.
The Ogiso rulers were believed to have descended from the heavens, indicating the semi-mythical status they held among their subjects. The term "Ogiso" translates to "king of the sky" or "king from the sky," highlighting the divine status attributed to these monarchs. The origins of the dynasty are somewhat mysterious, with some accounts suggesting the first Ogiso may have come from the Yoruba town of Ife, introducing the concept of monarchy.
Throughout its existence, the Ogiso Dynasty had thirty-one rulers, each contributing to the development and consolidation of the kingdom. Notable among them were Ogiso Igodo, the first ruler, and Ogiso Ere, who implemented several administrative and cultural reforms. This era saw the establishment of settlements, the integration of various chiefdoms, and the growth of proto-urban centers, with Udo and Benin City being prominent examples.
The decline of the Ogiso Dynasty began with the rule of the last Ogiso, Owodo, whose reign was marked by internal conflict and public dissatisfaction. This led to his banishment and a period of interregnum, during which the nobleman Evian attempted to establish his own line of succession. However, the people eventually rejected this, inviting a prince from Ife to restore order, thus beginning the Oba Dynasty. The legacy of the Ogiso Dynasty remains in the cultural and historical consciousness of the Benin people, reflected in their traditions, folklore, and archaeological findings.
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