Kingdom of Benin
Dead Funny History: Kingdom of Benin.
Join historian Greg Jenner for a fast-paced, funny and fact-packed journey through the history of the Kingdom of Benin full of powerful rulers, incredible art, and some very questionable British behaviour.
This episode of Dead Funny History is bursting with jokes, sketches and sound effects that bring the past to life for families and Key Stage 2 learners. Discover how the Ogisos, “rulers of the sky”, gave way to the Obas, god-like kings who rebuilt cities and led armies. Learn about Queen Idia, the original palace-owning mum, and the guilds of artists who created the famous Benin Bronzes, many of which were looted during British colonisation.
From Portuguese coconut diplomacy to British invasions to the trading of enslaved people and the destruction of Benin City in 1897.
Perfect for curious kids, families, and fans of You’re Dead To Me, this is history with humour, heart and high production value. Expect sketches, spoof news reports, and a quiz to test your memory.
Written by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch, Athena Kugblenu and Dr Emma NagouseHost: Greg JennerPerformers: Mali Ann Rees and John-Luke RobertsProducer: Dr Emma NagouseAssociate Producer: Gabby Hutchinson CrouchAudio Producer: Emma WeatherillScript Consultant: Barnaby PhillipsProduction Coordinator: Liz TuohyProduction Manager: Jo KyleSound Designer: Peregrine Andrews
A BBC Studios Production
You're Dead to Me
The comedy podcast that takes history seriously. In each episode of You’re Dead to Me from BBC Radio 4, Greg Jenner is joined by a comedian and an expert historian to learn and laugh about the past.
History isn’t just about dates and textbooks – it’s about extraordinary characters, amazing stories, and some very questionable fashion choices. How long did it take to build an Egyptian pyramid? What does the Bayeux Tapestry reveal about medieval life? Why did it take nearly half a millennium for Joan of Arc to become a saint? And was Catherine the Great really all that great? Whether you want to explore ancient landmarks like Stonehenge and Machu Picchu, dance through the history of Broadway and Bollywood, or find out how the Tudors rose to power, Greg and his guests promise to teach you something new that you won’t have heard in history lessons.
Previous episodes of You’re Dead To Me have covered everything from royals to revolutionaries, actors to activists and divas to dictators. Take a stroll through the history of high-heeled shoes or get the scoop on the history of ice cream. Maybe you’d like to paint like the cave artists of the Palaeolithic era, work out like a Victorian bodybuilder, or fight like a Spartan? We’ve even hosted a special, live episode with the BBC Concert Orchestra to explore the dramatic life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Whatever your historical interests, Greg and his guests make even the trickiest topics easy to follow. Join them for a history lesson that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening - with no homework required.
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