Confucius was traditionally born in 551 BCE, according to the standard chronology of his life.
He was born in the state of Lu, in the area now associated with Qufu in Shandong, China. Traditional accounts place his birth on the 27th day of the eighth lunar month, though the exact historical details are debated.
Confucius lived during the Spring and Autumn period, when the Zhou political order was weakening and rival states competed for power. His teachings emphasized ethical self-cultivation, family responsibility, education, and good government.
Some modern historians note that early sources were written long after Confucius lived, so dates cannot be established with complete certainty. Nevertheless, 551 BCE is the conventional date used in encyclopedias and educational histories. His traditional death date is 479 BCE, giving him an attributed lifespan of 72 years.