According to tradition, Confucius was born

in 551 BC, in the Spring and Autumn Period,

at the beginning of theHundred Schools of
Thought philosophical movement.
Confucius was born in or near the city of
Qufu, in the Chinese State of Lu (now part
of Shandong Province). Early accounts say
that he was born into a poor but noble
family that had fallen on hard times.