The Art of War
Sun Tzu's sole surviving and foundational work, and the standard entry point to his military thought.
Author guide
Sun Tzu Books in Order
Sun Tzu, also rendered Sunzi or Sun Wu, is the traditional name associated with China's earliest extant military treatise, The Art of War. Traditional accounts place him in the state of Wu during the late Spring and Autumn period, but modern scholarship commonly treats the surviving text as a composite work that crystallized during the Warring States period. His influence extends across Chinese military thought, East Asian intellectual history, and global strategic studies.
military strategynonfictionmilitary theory
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- The Art of War
treatise · c. 4
Sun Tzu’s ancient treatise on the art of war has exerted enormous influence over both Asian and Western soldiers, covering subjects ranging from morale and discipline to the correct use of spies. Despite questions about the historicity of…
Frequently asked questions about Sun Tzu
Who was Sun Tzu?
Sun Tzu, also known as Sunzi or “Master Sun,” is the traditional name of an ancient Chinese military strategist associated with The Art of War. Traditional accounts identify him with a general named Sun Wu, though his historicity remains debated.
Sources: cambridge.org (opens in a new tab)onlinelibrary.wiley.com (opens in a new tab)
When did Sun Tzu live?
Traditional accounts place Sun Tzu in the late sixth century BCE, around 500 BCE. Exact dates cannot be established because the surviving biographical evidence is sparse and some scholars question whether he was a historical individual.
Sources: onlinelibrary.wiley.com (opens in a new tab)worldhistory.org (opens in a new tab)
What was Sun Tzu’s military career?
According to traditional biography, Sun Tzu served as a general under King Helü of Wu and was associated with Wu’s wars, including the Battle of Boju in 506 BCE. Some famous details of this account, such as his training of the king’s concubines, are regarded as possibly legendary.
Did Sun Tzu write The Art of War by himself?
The authorship is unsettled. Modern scholarship has described the surviving text as developing through layers of material over time rather than being securely attributable to one author, although tradition continues to credit Sun Tzu.
Sources: cambridge.org (opens in a new tab)assets.cambridge.org (opens in a new tab)
Why is Sun Tzu still influential?
For more than 2,000 years, The Art of War was treated as an authoritative work on warfare in China and neighboring countries. Its ideas remain influential in contemporary military education and strategic analysis.
Sources: cambridge.org (opens in a new tab)ndupress.ndu.edu (opens in a new tab)