J.D.Y. PEEL -- Ph.D. University of London – Professor at University of London

Dear Dr Kolkey,
 

I'm much in agreement with your general proposition, that factional politics within states has a significant impact on states decisions to make war. As someone who studied classics, particularly ancient history, before turning to Africa, I have always seen marked similarities (but also some significant) differences between Greek city-states (poleis) and Yoruba "towns" (ilu). You can see my more extended views on this comparison in my essay "Yoruba as a city-state culture", in Mogens Herman Hansen (ed.), A Comparative Study of Thirty City-State Cultures (Copenhagen, 2000), 507-518.
 
You ask for actual instances. Here may I refer you to my Religous Encounter and the Making of the Yoruba (Bloomington, 2000), esp. chapter 3 and pp. 71-80. On p.76, I actually compare one chief to Alcibiades, thinking of the latter's conduct during the Athenian expedition against Syracuse. On the conduct of the Yoruba wars (and the role of great chiefs with their personal followings in them), you might consult with profit J.F.A. Ajayi and R.S. Smith Yoruba Warfare in the C19 (Cambridge 1974) and S.A. Akintoye, Revolution and Power Politics in Yorubaland 1840-1893 (London 1971)
 
I hope this is of some help to you.
 
With best wishes,
 
JDYP

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