Page 55 - A History of the World in 25 Cities

The city was built in the rainforest, some of which was cleared for growing crops and farming.
The oba was the king of Benin. His palace was spectacular, with galleried courtyards and steep turrets, which were decorated with slithering snakes down the sides and birds with outstretched wings on top. The oba’s family and royal attendants lived at the palace. His staff included acrobats, leopard hunters and handlers, and sorcerers!
Outside the city centre, people lived in villages, which were also surrounded by huge earth walls.
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