An Ogiso is referred to by the people of the Igodomigodo kingdom as king of the sky.[1] This is a list of the independent Ogisos (Kings) of Igodomigodo, which was to become the Benin Empire, from roughly 100 BCE - 40 BCE to 1100 CE. The dating is based on the recollection made by Daryl Peavy of the oral traditions of the Edo people.[2] [3] The Ogiso were assisted by seven nobles called the Uzama'. During the reign of Ogisos, Edo lands were called 'Igodomigodo' and they had administrative centers or capitals at Ugbeku which was later moved to Ore Edo now Benin City. Community autonomy was given to each community by the Ogiso during their reign.[4]
| Name | Reign | |
|---|---|---|
| Ogiso Igodo | 40 BCE - 16 CE[5] | |
| Ogiso Ere | 16-66 | |
| Ogiso Orire "The Young" | 66-100 | |
| Interregnum | 100-385 | |
| Ogiso Odia | 385-400 | |
| Ogiso Ighido | 400-414 | |
| Ogiso Evbobo | 414-432 | |
| Ogiso Ogbeide "The proud eagle" | 432-447 | |
| Ogiso Emehen "The oraculist" | 447-466 | |
| Ogiso Ekpigho | 466-482 | |
| Ogiso Akhuankhuan | 482-494 | |
| Ogiso Efeseke | 494-508 | |
| Ogiso Irudia | 508-522 | |
| Ogiso Orria | 522-537 | |
| Ogiso Imarhan | 537-548 | |
| Ogiso Etebowe | 548-567 | |
| Ogiso Odion | 567-584 | |
| Ogiso Emose (Possible female) | 584-600 | |
| Ogiso Ororo (Possible female) | 600-618 | |
| Ogiso Erebo | 618-632 | |
| Ogiso Ogbomo | 632-647 | |
| Ogiso Agbonzeke | 647-665 | |
| Ogiso Ediae | 665-685 | |
| Ogiso Orriagba | 685-712 | |
| Ogiso Odoligie | 712-767 | |
| Ogiso Uwa | 767-821 | |
| Ogiso Eheneden | 821-871 | |
| Ogiso Ohuede | 871-917 | |
| Ogiso Oduwa | 917-967 | |
| Ogiso Obioye | 967-1012 | |
| Ogiso Arigho | 1012–1059 | |
| Ogiso Owodo | 1059–1100 |