Sun Tzu

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022

This article is about the military strategist Sun Tzu. For the mathematician of the same name, see Sun Tzu (mathematician).

Sun Tzu (544 BC – 496 BC) also called Sun Wu, was an ancient Chinese general, military expert and philosopher. He is widely believed to have been the author of the most important work of military strategy and theory, The Art of War. His name means 'Master Sun'. His family name is Sun, Tzu is an honorific (title of respect) meaning 'master'.

Most of what we know about Sun Tzu comes from Ssu-ma Ch'ien's Shih chi, also called the Records of the Grand Historian. According to the Grand Historian, Sun Tzu lived during the period called 'The Spring and Autumn Period of China'. This era dates from 770 BC to 476 BC.

Questions and Answers

Q: Who was Sun Tzu?

A: Sun Tzu was an ancient Chinese general, military expert and philosopher.

Q: What was his most famous work?

A: His most famous work was The Art of War, which is widely regarded as the most important work of military strategy and theory.

Q: What does his name mean?

A: His name means 'Master Sun'. His family name is Sun, and Tzu is an honorific (title of respect) meaning 'master'.

Q: Where does most of what we know about Sun Tzu come from?

A: Most of what we know about Sun Tzu comes from Ssu-ma Ch'ien's Shih chi, also called the Records of the Grand Historian.

Q: When did Sun Tzu live?

A: Sun Tzu lived during the period called 'The Spring and Autumn Period of China', which dates from 770 BC to 476 BC.

Q: Did Sun Tzu have another name?

A: Yes, Sun Tzu was also called Sun Wu.

Q: Who was the mathematician with the same name?

A: The mathematician with the same name was not the military strategist Sun Tzu.