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Sun
Tzu
originally named Sun Wu and also called
Chang Qing, authored The Art of War in
the sixth century BC. This military strategy
book became one of the most influential
books of war and Sun Tzu became well known
as not only a military strategist but
also a realist in international relations
theory.
There
are no exact records of Sun Tzu's birth
or death. The only known records of his
life were from a biography written in
the 2nd century BC by a historian named
Sima Qian. Sun Tzu is believed to have
been born in 544 BC under the name Sun
Wu, possibly in the state of Qi in ancient
China. His family were members of the
shi, an ancient class of landless aristocrats
who lost their land during the Spring
and Autumn Period of territorial consolidation.
During Sun Tzu's time, most shi travelled
as academic scholars, but Sun Tzu decided
to work as a mercenary.
After
working throughout the country, the ruling
king, King Helu of Wu, hired Sun Tzu as
a general in 512 BC. Sun Tzu consequently
authored The Art of War, which, at the
time was named Sun Tzu based on the custom
to name a work after its author.
Sun
Tzu's military strategy soon became legendary
and he even proved his knowledge by training
battalions of previously untrained female
soldiers. Sun Tzu gave control of each
battalion to King Helu's concubines. After
they disobeyed orders and laughed at him,
Sun Tzu executed two of the concubines,
per military law, and finished his training
with a powerful team with exceptional
leadership skills.
At
the time of Sun Tzu's generalship, the
kingdom of Wu was considered a semi-barbaric
state and incapable of military regulation
or cultural power. After Sun Tzu took
control, however, the military in Wu went
on to conquer the state of Chu, the most
powerful state in the Spring and Autumn
Period in Chinese history.
After
the defeat of Chu, Sun Tzu disappeared,
wanting a quiet, peaceful life as opposed
to one of constant conflict. His teachings,
however, went on to influence not only
military strategies, but also martial
arts in both armed and unarmed combat.
In fact, his teaching known as Bing Fa
became the basis for most Asian martial
arts.
Historians
argue that Sun Tzu's work did not advocate
war but, instead, told of strategies to
employ should conflict arise. In fact,
according to historians, Sun Tzu's philosophies
were more about how to avoid war while
still maintaining control over an enemy
in tight situations rather than war itself.
Although
there are no confirmations that the two
met, Sun Tzu lived during the time of
Confucius and may have been influenced
by the man's work. It's estimated that
Sun Tzu died in 496 BC in the state of
Wu.
This Sun Tzu biography may not
be reproduced online.
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