Sun Tzu Sun Tzu or Sunzi was a Chinese military general , strategist , and philosopher during the Zhou dynasty ' s Spring and Autumn Period . The name he is best known by is an honorific meaning " Master Sun " : Sun Tzu was born as Sun Wu and known outside his family by the Changqing . He is traditionally credited as the author of " The Art of War " , an extremely influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy . Sun Tzu has had a significant impact on Chinese and Asian history and culture , both as the author of " The Art of War " and as a legendary historical figure . Sun Tzu ' s historicity is uncertain . Sima Qian and other traditional historians placed him as a minister to King Helü of Wu and dated his lifetime to 544 – 496 BC . Modern scholars accepting his historicity nonetheless place the existing text of " The Art of War " in the later Warring States Period based upon its style of composition and its descriptions of warfare . Traditional accounts state that the general ' s descendant Sun Bin also wrote a treatise on military tactics , also titled " The Art of War " . Since both Sun Wu and Sun Bin were referred to as Sun Tzu in classical Chinese texts , some historians believed them identical prior to the rediscovery of Sun Bin ' s treatise in 1972 . Sun Tzu ' s work has been praised and employed throughout East Asia since its composition . During the twentieth century , " The Art of War " grew in popularity and saw practical use in Western society as well . It continues to influence many competitive endeavors in Asia , Europe , and America including culture , politics , business , and sports , as well as modern warfare . Life . The oldest available sources disagree as to where Sun Tzu was born . The " Spring and Autumn Annals " states that Sun Tzu was born in Qi , while Sima Qian ' s later " Records of the Grand Historian " states that Sun Tzu was a native of Wu . Both sources agree that Sun Tzu was born in the late Spring and Autumn Period and that he was active as a general and strategist , serving the king of Wu Helü in the late sixth century BC , beginning around 512 BC . Sun Tzu ' s victories then inspired him to write " The Art of War " . " The Art of War " was one of the most widely read military treatises in the subsequent Warring States period , a time of constant war among seven nations Zhao , Qi , Qin , Chu , Han , Wei , and Yan who fought to control the vast expanse of fertile territory in Eastern China . One of the more well - known stories about Sun Tzu , taken from Sima Qian , illustrates Sun Tzu ' s temperament as follows : Before hiring Sun Tzu , the King of Wu tested Sun Tzu ' s skills by commanding him to train a harem of 180 concubines into soldiers . Sun Tzu divided them into two companies , appointing the two concubines most favored by the king as the company commanders . When Sun Tzu first ordered the concubines to face right , they giggled . In response , Sun Tzu said that the general , in this case himself , was responsible for ensuring that soldiers understood the commands given to them . Then , he reiterated the command , and again the concubines giggled . Sun Tzu then ordered the execution of the king ' s two favored concubines , to the king ' s protests . He explained that if the general ' s soldiers understood their commands but did not obey , it was the fault of the officers . Sun Tzu also said that , once a general was appointed , it was his duty to carry out his mission , even if the king protested . After both concubines were killed , new officers were chosen to replace them . Afterwards , both companies , now well aware of the costs of further frivolity , performed their maneuvers flawlessly . Sima Qian claimed that Sun Tzu later proved on the battlefield that his theories were effective ( for example , at the Battle of Boju ) , that he had a successful military career , and that he wrote " The Art of War " based on his tested expertise . However , " Zuo Zhuan " , an earlier historical text which provides a much more detailed account of the Battle of Boju , does not mention Sun Tzu at all . The Art of War . " The Art of War " ( Chinese : , , " Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ " , " Master Sun ' s Rules for Soldiers " ) was traditionally ascribed to Sun Tzu . It presents a philosophy of war for managing conflicts and winning battles . It is accepted as a masterpiece on strategy and is frequently cited and referred to by generals and theorists since it was first published , translated , and distributed internationally . There are numerous theories concerning when the text was completed and concerning the identity of the author or authors , but archeological recoveries have proven that " The Art of War " had achieved roughly its current form by at least the early Han . Because it is impossible to prove definitively when the " Art of War " was completed before this date , the differing theories concerning the work ' s author or authors and date of completion are unlikely to ever be completely resolved . Some modern scholars believe that it contains not only the thoughts of its original author but also commentary and clarifications from later military theorists , such as Li Quan and Du Mu . Of the military texts written before the unification of China and Shi Huangdi ' s subsequent book burning in the second century BC , six major works have survived . During the much later Song Dynasty , these six works were combined with a Tang text into a collection called the " Seven Military Classics " . As a central part of that compilation , " The Art of War " formed the foundations of orthodox military theory in early modern China . Illustrating this point , the book was required reading to pass the tests needed for imperial appointment to military positions . According to the Simpkinses , Sun Tzu ' s " Art of War " uses language that may be unusual in a Western text on warfare and strategy . For example , the eleventh chapter states that a leader must be " serene and inscrutable " and capable of comprehending " unfathomable plans " . They state that the text contains many similar remarks that have long confused Western readers lacking an awareness of the East Asian context . The meaning of such statements are clearer when interpreted in the context of Taoist thought and practice . Sun Tzu viewed the ideal general as an enlightened Taoist master , which has led to " The Art of War " being considered a prime example of Taoist strategy . The book is not only popular among military theorists , but has also become increasingly popular among political leaders and those in business management . Despite its title , " The Art of War " addresses strategy in a broad fashion , touching upon public administration and planning . The text outlines theories of battle , but also advocates diplomacy and cultivating relationships with other nations as essential to the health of a state . On April 10 , 1972 , the Yinqueshan Han Tombs were accidentally unearthed by construction workers in Shandong . Scholars uncovered a collection of ancient texts written on unusually well - preserved bamboo slips . Among them were " The Art of War " and Sun Bin ' s " Military Methods " . Although Han Dynasty bibliographies noted the latter publication as extant and written by a descendant of Sun , it had previously been lost . The rediscovery of Sun Bin ' s work is considered to be extremely important , both because of Sun Bin ' s relationship to Sun Tzu and because of the work ' s addition to the body of military thought in Chinese late antiquity . The discovery as a whole significantly expanded the body of surviving Warring States military theory . Sun Bin ' s treatise is the only known military text surviving from the Warring States period discovered in the twentieth century and bears the closest similarity to " The Art of War " of all surviving texts . Historicity . Some scholars have expressed doubt in Sun Tzu ' s historicity and the traditional dating of " The Art of War " . Skeptics cite possible historical inaccuracies and anachronisms in the text , as well as the likelihood of the execution of the king ' s favorite concubines . This skepticism , which sometimes cause scholars to completely deny the existence of a historical figure named Sun Wu , has led to acrimonious debate between skeptics and traditionalists , especially in China . Attribution of the authorship of " The Art of War " varies among scholars and has included people and movements including Sun ; Chu scholar Wu Zixu ; an anonymous author ; a school of theorists in Qi or Wu ; Sun Bin ; and others . Traditionalists attribute the authorship of " The Art of War " to the historical figure Sun Wu who is chronicled in the " Records of the Grand Historian " and the " Spring and Autumn Annals " . Reputedly , he was active in the late sixth century BC , beginning BC . The appearance of features from " The Art of War " in other historical texts is considered to be proof of his historicity and authorship . Certain strategic concepts , such as terrain classification , are attributed to Sun Tzu . Their use in other works such as " The Methods of the Sima " is considered proof of Sun Tzu ' s historical priority . According to Ralph Sawyer , it is very likely Sun Tzu did exist and not only served as a general but also wrote the core of the book that bears his name . Skeptics who identify issues with the traditionalist view point to possible anachronisms in " The Art of War " including terms , technology , philosophical ideas , events , and military techniques that should not have been available to Sun Wu . They argue that there is a disparity between the large - scale wars and sophisticated techniques detailed in the text and the more primitive small - scale battles that many believe predominated in 6th - century - BC China . Against this , Sawyer argues that the teachings of Sun Wu were probably taught to succeeding generations in his family or a small school of disciples , which eventually included Sun Bin . These descendants or students may have revised or expanded upon certain points in the original text . Legacy . Sun Tzu ' s " Art of War " has influenced many notable figures . Sima Qian recounted that China ' s first historical emperor , Qin ' s Shi Huangdi , considered the book invaluable in ending the time of the Warring States . In the 20th century , the Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong partially credited his 1949 victory over Chiang Kai - shek and the Kuomintang to " The Art of War " . The work strongly influenced Mao ' s writings about guerrilla warfare , which further influenced communist insurgencies around the world . " The Art of War " was introduced into Japan and the book quickly became popular among Japanese generals . Through its later influence on Oda Nobunaga , Toyotomi Hideyoshi , and Tokugawa Ieyasu , it significantly affected the unification of Japan in the early modern era . Prior to the Meiji Restoration , mastery of its teachings was honored among the samurai and its teachings were both exhorted and exemplified by influential daimyo and shogun s . Subsequently , it remained popular among the Imperial Japanese armed forces . The Admiral of the Fleet Tōgō Heihachirō , who led Japan ' s forces to victory in the Russo - Japanese War , was an avid reader of Sun Tzu . Ho Chi Minh translated the work for his Vietnamese officers to study . His general Vo Nguyen Giap , the strategist behind victories over French and American forces in Vietnam , was likewise an avid student and practitioner of Sun Tzu ' s ideas . America ' s Asian conflicts against Japan , North Korea , and North Vietnam brought Sun Tzu to the attention of American military leaders . The Department of the Army in the United States , through its Command and General Staff College , has directed all units to maintain libraries within their respective headquarters for the continuing education of personnel in the art of war . " The Art of War " is mentioned as an example of works to be maintained at each facility , and staff duty officers are obliged to prepare short papers for presentation to other officers on their readings . Similarly , Sun Tzu ' s " Art of War " is listed on the Marine Corps Professional Reading Program . During the Gulf War in the 1990s , both Generals Norman Schwarzkopf Jr . and Colin Powell employed principles from Sun Tzu related to deception , speed , and striking one ' s enemy ' s weak points . Mark McNeilly writes in " Sun Tzu and the Art of Modern Warfare " that a modern interpretation of Sun and his importance throughout Chinese history is critical in understanding China ' s push to becoming a superpower in the twenty - first century . Modern Chinese scholars explicitly rely on historical strategic lessons and " The Art of War " in developing their theories , seeing a direct relationship between their modern struggles and those of China in Sun Tzu ' s time . There is a great perceived value in Sun Tzu ' s teachings and other traditional Chinese writers , which are used regularly in developing the strategies of the Chinese state and its leaders . In 2008 , producer Zhang Jizhong adapted Sun Tzu ' s life story into a 40 - episode historical drama television series entitled " Bing Sheng " , starring Zhu Yawen as Sun Tzu .