The Benin Empire (1440–1897) was a pre-colonial Edo state in what is now modern Nigeria. It should not be confused with the modern day country called Benin and formerly called Dahomey. Benin though not central to the stories of The Wild Kingdoms does feature because the Oba (King) of Benin is considered within Yoruba history as a descendent of the first Yoruba king.   The artistic style of Benin also served as a visual reference.