Agaja

Dossou Agadja was the fifth king of Dahomey. He followed his brother Houessou Aqaba and reigned from 1708 to 1732.

Akaba only son, Agbo Sassa, was only 10 years old when Akaba died, so Agadja came to the throne. He refused his nephew to the throne when he became of age, and drove him into exile.

Agadjas government was marked by continuous wars. The Yoruba soldiers of the kingdom of Oyo were repulsed by the army Abomeys (now Porto Novo the capital of Dahomey, ); Agadja made ​​peace, and paid tribute henceforth. The next hundred years, these annual payments to the king of Oyo were continued, and though., In the form of young men and women who were destined for slavery or for sacrifices, beside even through clothing, weapons, animals and pearls

Nevertheless, under Agadjas rule the empire grew. In 1724 it was conquered Allada, 1727 the kingdom of Savi, together with its capital Ouidah. The latter victory was achieved among other things by a female shock troops of cavalry, called Amazons by European observers. These Amazons were a dynastic tradition. With the conquest of Savi and Ouidah Agadja gained direct access to the sea, which allowed him the lucrative slave trade with Europe. In this context also be a symbol of power is to see a European ship ( caravel ).

• King ( Dahomey )
• Man
• Born in the 17th century
• Died in the 18th century