The Heroic Elegy of Confucius

Born in the Chinese state of Lu in 551 B.C., Confucius was raised by his mother after his father died when he was only three. He marries at 19 and enters the service of the local nobility. At 32, he tutors the Prince of Lu’s children, eventually becoming a politician at 51. His career peaks are the roles of Lu’s justice minister and eventually prime minister. The land prospers for four years, but Confucius grows disenchanted with court intrigues.