Ghezo

Ghezo, born in 1790, ascended to the throne of Dahomey in 1818 after orchestrating a coup against his brother Adandozan, who had ruled from 1797 to 1818. With the backing of the Brazilian slave trader Francisco Félix de Sousa, Ghezo established himself as a formidable monarch during a period marked by significant upheaval.

His reign was characterized by the end of Dahomey's tributary status to the Oyo Empire, a bold move that signified a shift in power dynamics within the region. However, Ghezo's rule was not without challenges; he faced considerable domestic dissent and external pressure from the British Empire, which sought to abolish the Atlantic slave trade.

In a bid to appease his critics, Ghezo promised to end the slave trade in 1852. Yet, the allure of the trade proved too strong, and he resumed slave efforts in 1857, a decision that would haunt his legacy. His reign came to a tragic end in 1858 when he was assassinated, paving the way for his son Glele to take the throne.