The African city state of Ile-Ife and predecessor of the Oyo empire was pretty impressive. Dating back to 500 BC and possibly drawing their ancestry to the Nok civilisation going back to 1500 BC. They made incredible sculptures,had a urbanized society with paved roads and an extensive caravan system and skill with steel since atleast 800 AD. Additionally the Yoruba colonies that spread out and created various other kingdoms trace their history back to Ife and even Benin empire saw Ife as a holy city.
With all this it seems as if Ife would’ve had a advantage on many other african kingdoms in the early medieval period. What if instead of focusing on art and religion along with spreading “colonies” they were more militaristic and focused on conquest especially across the forest region? What would it take to kick off this expansion? Outside raiders causing them to develop a system similar to that of Rome’s war only to protect Rome? How long would this expansive empire last? Most importantly what’s would it’s effective be. Yoruba were big on naturalising conquered people’s and could spread their mathematics system religion and language maybe even allowing for some rough sense of unity in the area.
With all this it seems as if Ife would’ve had a advantage on many other african kingdoms in the early medieval period. What if instead of focusing on art and religion along with spreading “colonies” they were more militaristic and focused on conquest especially across the forest region? What would it take to kick off this expansion? Outside raiders causing them to develop a system similar to that of Rome’s war only to protect Rome? How long would this expansive empire last? Most importantly what’s would it’s effective be. Yoruba were big on naturalising conquered people’s and could spread their mathematics system religion and language maybe even allowing for some rough sense of unity in the area.