Kings of Dahomey

A family tree of the monarchs of Dahomey, a kingdom occupying the present-day country of Benin. (Note: The Benin Kingdom and Benin Empire, illustrated in the linked family tree, never did encompass the present-day Republic of Benin).

At the height of its power, Dahomey was part of the Atlantic Slave Trade, receiving firearms and goods acquired from the New World in exchange for slaves. During the 19th century, Dahomey faced pressure from Great Britain to abolish the slave trade, with the Royal Navy enforcing anti-slavery blockades. Dahomey's failure to invade and capture slaves from the Yoruba city-state of Abeokuta marked the kingdom's decline. Its last king was deposed when Dahomey was annexed into French West Africa. French Danhomey gained its independence in 1960. The country was renamed Benin, after the Bight of Benin, following a 1975 Communist coup.

Since 1900, the title of King of Dahomey has been ceremonial.