Late Middle Ages · Africa · Exploration

1487

Portuguese Reach Benin

1487

Portuguese envoys made contact with the West African kingdom of Benin, establishing one of the earliest diplomatic relationships between a European power and a sub-Saharan African state. Benin's Oba would send ambassadors to Lisbon; Portuguese goods and Christian priests would enter his court; the kingdom's famous bronze heads would later depict Portuguese visitors.

More from 1487 Late Middle Ages

In context

Also in 1487 (3 other events on record)

Aztec Templo Mayor Rededicated · North America · Religion
Battle of Stoke Field · Europe · War
Star Chamber Legislation · Europe · Politics

Before and after in Africa

Before: 1486: Diogo Cao Dies on African Coast
After: February 3, 1488: Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape

Before and after in Exploration

Before: 1486: Diogo Cao Dies on African Coast
After: February 3, 1488: Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape

Era

Late Middle Ages (1301–1500), one of 874 events from that era on Saeculum.