Sun Tzu was born in 544 BCE in Qi. A Chinese general and military strategist, Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, a short treatise on strategy. According to tradition he served the state of Wu in the late sixth century BCE, but historians debate whether he was a real person, and the book seems to have reached its final form in the Warring States period. Its principles include the importance of preparation, deception and intelligence, the idea that the best victory is won without fighting, and the need to know both the enemy and oneself. It has been studied by military leaders in East Asia and around the world, and its ideas are also applied in politics and business.
Before and after
- from 550 BCE to 366 BCEFounding of Peloponnesian League
- from 550 BCE to 330 BCEAchaemenid Empire
- 550 BCEBirth of Darius I
- from 550 BCE to 1979Persian Empire
- 544 BCEBirth of Sun Tzu
- 543 BCEOrigins of Phanagoria
- c. 539 BCEMaking of the Cyrus cylinder
- 535 BCEBirth of Heraclitus
- c. 535 BCEGreek tragedy is born at the Athenian festival of Dionysus
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- c. 375 BCEWriting of The Republic
- 284 BCEColossus of Rhodes
- 196 BCERosetta Stone
- 48 CEPublication of Epistle to the Galatians
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 6th century BCE.