The Benin Kingdom (in modern-day Nigeria) was one of West Africa’s most sophisticated and powerful states. Its government had inter-continental diplomatic relations with European countries, a powerful military, and a brilliant guild of artists who made the "Benin Bronze" sculptures that were so technically brilliant that an astonished curator at the British Museum said: "there is absolutely nothing like them in any other part of the world".

The sculptures were actually a side show in a wider cat and mouse game between the British colonial officer James Phillips and the King of Benin. Phillips insisted on visiting Benin (despite Benin's king repeatedly telling him that he was not welcome). When Phillips ignored the King of Benin's objections and travelled to Benin in January 1897 with a group of British military officers, Be ...