{{Short description|Oba of Benin (1370 AD–1400 AD)}} {{EngvarB|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox royalty | name = Egbeka | title = Oba of Benin | succession = Oba of Benin | image = MARKK C2436 Figure of an Oba with Eben Sword DSC-1124.jpg | caption = Figure of an Oba with Eben Sword. | reign = {{c.| 1370 AD | 1400 AD}} | predecessor = Ohen | successor = Orobiru | issue = {{plainlist| * Princess Evbu * Princess Iwua * Princess Iduzuwa }} | father = Ohen | mother = | birth_date = | birth_place = Benin Kingdom | death_date = {{c.| 1400 AD}} | death_place = Benin Kingdom | burial_place= }}

'''Egbeka''' was the ninth Oba of Benin, ruling from 1370 AD to 1400 AD. He was the eldest son of Oba Ohen and took over the throne after his father's death.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=13}}

==Early life== Information about Oba Egbeka's early life is limited. As the eldest son of Oba Ohen, he was next in line for the throne. His ascension was preceded by a period of civil unrest and power struggles within the kingdom.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=13}}

==Reign== Egbeka's reign was marked by several civil wars with the Uzama Nihinron.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=13}} His governance skills were limited, and his death did not significantly affect the kingdom.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=13}} During his reign, the Sobos (Urhobos) migrated from Benin, founding Abraka and other towns.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=13}}

===Conflict with the Uneme=== Egbeka's rule was marked by conflict with the Uneme people, who were skilled ironmakers. He suspected them of being involved in his father's death.{{sfn|Ọmọregie|1998|p=118–120}} His actions led to the departure of the Uneme and the establishment of their community around 1390 AD.{{sfn|Ọmọregie|1998|p=118–120}} The Uneme were known for their ironmaking skills, and their departure affected the kingdom's economy and military capabilities.{{sfn|Harunah|2003|p=187–189}}

===Military campaigns=== Oba Egbeka's military campaigns, particularly against the Uneme people, were not successful.{{sfn|Harunah|2003|p=187–189}} He attempted to subdue the Uneme by forming military alliances with neighbouring Yoruba kingdoms and using spiritual warfare.{{sfn|Harunah|2003|p=187–189}}

==Personal life, death and succession== Egbeka's daughters married prominent chiefs, which helped to reduce opposition from the Uzama and brought peace during the latter part of his reign.{{sfn|Egharevba|1973|p=11}} Oba Egbeka died around 1400 AD, ending a period of unrest. The throne was succeeded by Oba Orobiru, who sought to stabilise the kingdom after Egbeka's reign.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=13}}

==References== === Citations === {{reflist}}

=== Bibliography === {{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}} * {{cite book |last=Egharevba |first=Jacob |title=A Short History of Benin |year=1968 |publisher=CMS Press |isbn=9789781212390 |page=13}} * {{cite book |last=Ọmọregie |first=Osarẹn S. B. |title=The Ironmakers of Great Benin: A History of Unẹmẹ People |year=1998 |publisher=Neraso Publishers |pages=118–120}} * {{cite book |last=Harunah |first=Hakeem B. |title=A Cultural History of the Uneme from the Earliest Times to 1962 |year=2003 |publisher=The Book Company Limited |isbn=978-978-36778-0-7 |pages=187–189}} * {{cite book |last=Egharevba |first=Jacob |title=Concise Lives of the Famous Iyases of Benin |year=1973 |publisher=Kraus Reprint |page=11}} {{refend}}

==Further reading== * {{cite book |last=BRADBURY |first=R. E. |title=Benin Studies |publisher=Routledge |date=2020-05-10 |isbn=978-1-138-49211-0}}

{{s-start}} {{s-hou|Kingdom of Benin||Unknown||1400 AD}} {{s-reg|}} {{s-break}} {{S-bef | before = Ohen }} {{s-ttl | title = Oba of Benin | years = 1370 AD – 1400 AD }} {{s-aft | after = Orobiru }} {{s-end}}

{{Obas of Benin}}

Category:Obas of Benin Category:14th-century monarchs in Africa Category:15th-century monarchs in Africa Category:14th-century Nigerian people Category:15th-century Nigerian people Category:African royalty Category:History of the Yoruba people Category:Yoruba monarchs Category:Yoruba royalty Category:1400 deaths