The Art of War

The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise traditionally attributed to Sun Tzu.

A classic work on military strategy, The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise traditionally attributed to Sun Tzu. It is usually dated to the late Spring and Autumn period or early Warring States period and is composed of 13 chapters on warfare, strategy, and tactics. The work is widely regarded as one of the most influential texts on military strategy and has also been applied to non-military fields.

Authorship and dating

The work is traditionally attributed to Sun Tzu, a Chinese military strategist and general. Modern scholarship commonly places the text in the late 5th century BCE or early Warring States period rather than firmly in Sun Tzu’s lifetime.

Contents and themes

A key aspect of the treatise is its emphasis on planning, intelligence, terrain, deception, and disciplined command. The work consists of 13 chapters covering these and other aspects of warfare, and it presents war as a matter requiring preparation, accurate information, and careful calculation.

Historical influence

A foundational work in Chinese military thought, The Art of War became a major text in East Asian military thought and was later studied more broadly in global strategic theory. It has influenced military leaders, political thinkers, and writers on management and competition.

Reception and legacy

The work is often described as one of the earliest known treatises on war and military science. It remains widely read because its principles are often interpreted as applicable beyond warfare, including in business and law.