Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why is Sun Tzu traditionally associated with The Art of War?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

strategy Detail of the Bayeux Tapestry depicting an English soldier in combat with Norman cavalry during the Battle of Hastings, wool on linen, 11th-century; in the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, France.

Sun Tzu is traditionally associated with The Art of War because he is identified as its author in the Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian of China), written by Sima Qian around 85 BCE. This historical account describes Sun Tzu as a military strategist and general who served King Helü of the state of Wu during the late Spring and Autumn period.123

However, the historical identity of Sun Tzu remains uncertain, as he is absent from some early accounts of that era. Scholars debate the authorship, suggesting the text may instead represent the teachings of a military thinker edited by followers, or a work that evolved over time during the Warring States period. Regardless of its precise origin, the treatise is recognized as a foundational guide to military strategy that emphasizes logistics, deception, and the efficient use of resources amidst the increasing scale and complexity of ancient Chinese warfare.1234