The great Wall of China built across the Northern borders of China has drawn visitors from far and near. The wall built in the 7th century BC covered an area of 21,196 km and can be seen from space. This magnificent protective edifice was not the only one to tower across a vast land area. The ancient Benin kingdom occupied the area now known as western Nigeria built a like wall.
The need for a wall is to deter invaders allowing the defenders either enough time to organize their army or to evacuate the city. The size of the wall can be used to determine the level of civilization and the population of a kingdom. Large scale construction means the civilization has enough manpower and resources for such expensive task.
The building of this great Wall in Benin began sometime in 800AD. The growth in the kingdom's population required a stronger fortification. The wall was constructed using ramparts combined with moats, it stretched over an area of about 9,900 miles. Dikes were dug in the inner area and the earth removed was used in building the outer wall. The entire wall was constructed as a system of dikes and large mounds of earth protected from rain and nature by thatches, leaves and other plant materials placed on the top. It took over 600 years for the wall to be completed. Just like the walls of China was not even in height, the Benin wall had a peak height of about 20meters in some areas. At such height invaders found it a daunting task climbing over the wall. Areas of the wall not so tall was steep, invaders were easily picked out by arrowis or spears before they can laboriously reach the wall's summit.
According to Fred Pearce, the Benin wall took about 150 million hours of digging during construction. He also said the building of the wall required more materials than the great pyramid of Cheop in Egypt. The Benin wall was four times longer than the great Wall of China.
The Benin kingdom saw the rise of many great kings (Obas) during her powerful days. The Obas between AD 800 and into the 15th century made series of contributions to the wall. Oba Oguola who ruled Benin around 1280 to 1295 made the first large scale contribution to the wall. Oba Ewuare is considered by many as the greatest ruler of Benin kingdom. He commissioned and completed 3200km length of the entire 16,000km wall.
The wall allowed nine points of entry while sentries kept watch on the wall. Enemies were seen before they reached the wall thus buying time for soldiers to be organized and dispatched.
The large outer wall was not the only one constructed. smaller walls were constructed within the city to protect the palace and administrative buildings.
The Benin kingdom at this time was amongst the most fortified places on Earth. Such was the fortifications that any who approached her doors must first get permission from soldiers guarding the walls and gates. This means that all who came and left were processed.
There was peace within the wall. The wall proved important in preventing not only invaders but slave raiders roaming Africa at this time. It protected the people until the British destroyed most of the wall 1897 during the punitive expedition, a testament of the ills Africa, her identity and cultures suffered in the hands of Britain.
How many people die in the hands of the Britain?
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