The Life of Sun Tzu

          Although it is known that Sun Tzu was born in 544 BC it is widely debated among scholars the exact location of which his birth took place.  There is one surviving document however which many believe pen point the location of his birth which is called the Spring and Autumn Annals.  The Spring and Autumn Annals are an ancient Chinese chronicle which documented the years between 722 and 481 BC in the state of Lu.  The Annals depict Sun Tzu's birth in Qi. They also describe Sun Tzu's career as a general and his contributions to his dynasties military strategy as he served King Helu.

 

           Due to his success as a general he began to document his strategy and philosophies regarding military strategy.  The compilation of his writings later became known as The Art of War which even to this day is considered essential reading for military personal.

 

          Sun Tzu took his position in the military and the service of king very seriously.  He was known to punish disobedience with execution of the leading officers. "Military action is important to the nation-it is the ground of death and life, the path of survival and destruction, so it is imperative to examine it."  This quote by Sun Tzu gives us a glimpse into the importance of military and strategic prowess in the eyes of Sun Tzu.

 

          Sima Qian was a great Chinese historian of the Han dynasty who was the author of the Records of the Grand Historian.  Qian claimed that that strategies that Sun Tzu laid out in the Art of War were based on his real life experiences in military conflict such as the battle of Boju.