The Spring and Autumn period in China enters its final age.

The name of the period, which roughly corresponds to the first half of the Eastern Zhou dynasty (from the second half of the eighth century BCE to the first half of the fifth century BCE), comes from the Spring and Autumn Annals, a chronicle of the state of Lu between 722 BCE and 481 BCE, which tradition associates with Confucius.

China is ruled by a feudal system, under which the Zhou dynasty kings hold nominal power over a small Royal Domain, centered on their capital (modern Luoyang), and grant fiefdoms over the rest of China to several hundreds of hereditary nobles, descendants of members of the Zhou clan, close associates of the founders of the dynasty, or local potentates.

The most important feudal princes (known later as the twelve princes) meet during regular conferences, where important matters, such as military expeditions against foreign groups or offending nobles are decided.

One prince is sometimes declared hegemon during these conferences and assumes leadership over the armies of all feudal states.

The vassal states grow strong and belligerent as the Zhou kings lose control.