This work investigates the complex political structure and social organization of the Fon of Dahomey during the height of the Old Kingdom. W. J. Argyle, an anthropologist specializing in African social systems, utilizes historical records and ethnographic data to reconstruct the mechanisms of power, kingship, and social hierarchy that defined the Dahomean state. The text argues that the Fon monarchy functioned through a highly centralized administrative apparatus that integrated military and religious authority to maintain control over a diverse population.

Scholars frequently cite this monograph as a foundational text for understanding the political anthropology of West African kingdoms. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous resource for students of African history and social organization.