Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu (also Sunzi), meaning 'Master Sun,' was born during China's Spring and Autumn period. His personal name was Sun Wu. Little is known about his early life, and some scholars debate whether he was a single historical figure or a compilation of military strategists. He would become ancient China's most famous military strategist and author of The Art of War.

Sun Tzu entered the service of King Helü of Wu. According to legend, to demonstrate his military discipline methods, he trained the king's concubines as soldiers, even executing two of the king's favorites when they failed to follow orders. Impressed by his strict discipline and strategic mind, King Helü appointed him as general, giving him command over Wu's armies.

As general, Sun Tzu led the Wu army to a series of victories against the much larger state of Chu, Wu's powerful western neighbor. His innovative strategies, emphasizing deception, intelligence gathering, and striking at the enemy's weaknesses, proved devastatingly effective. These victories expanded Wu's territory and established Sun Tzu's reputation as a master strategist.

Sun Tzu composed 'The Art of War,' a treatise on military strategy in thirteen chapters. The work goes beyond battlefield tactics, covering strategy, planning, deception, intelligence, and the psychological aspects of warfare. Its principles—such as 'know your enemy and know yourself,' 'all warfare is based on deception,' and winning without fighting—influenced military thinking for over two millennia and found applications in business, sports, and diplomacy.

After years of military service and numerous victories, Sun Tzu retired from active command. Some accounts suggest he became a hermit, living in seclusion and possibly teaching disciples. His strategic teachings were preserved and refined by later military theorists. The Art of War remained essential reading for military commanders throughout Chinese history and eventually spread worldwide, becoming one of the most influential military texts ever written.