# Sun Tzǔ — The Art of War character guide > Sun Tzǔ in The Art of War by Sun Tzu. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Sun Wu, Sun Tzǔ Wu, Wu, Sun **First appearance:** 0002-sun-wu-and-his-book ## Snapshot A strategist who wrote thirteen chapters for a king and proved them on concubines, Sun Tzǔ treats war as a problem of deliberation, speed, and depth of design. ## Who they are Sun Tzǔ composed his thirteen chapters for Ho Lu, King of Wu, and the text's internal address to a ruler still shapes how every maxim lands. He insists that armed force is a last resort, yet his brevity and clarity have made generals and poets alike study him for two thousand years. His commentators quarrel over his obscurities, which is precisely why the reader must decide what he means. ## Relationships ### [Ho Lu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/ho_lu) _professional_ Ho Lu, King of Wu, employed Sun Tzǔ as a military strategist and general, relying on his expertise to build Wu's power. ### [King of Wu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/king_of_wu) _professional_ The King of Wu was Sun Tzǔ's sovereign and patron, commissioning him to train the army and apply his strategic teachings. ### [Sun Hsing-yen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/sun_hsing_yen) _family_ Sun Hsing-yen is traditionally considered a descendant or later commentator closely associated with Sun Tzǔ's lineage. ### [Wang Hsi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/wang_hsi) _professional_ Wang Hsi was a later commentator on Sun Tzǔ's work, analyzing and expanding upon his military principles. ### [Tu Mu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/tu_mu) _professional_ Tu Mu was a Tang dynasty poet and commentator who provided extensive analysis of Sun Tzǔ's text. ### [Prince Chuang of Chʽu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/prince_chuang_of_chu) _rivalry_ Prince Chuang of Chʽu was a historical adversary of Wu, often used by Sun Tzǔ as an example of a formidable enemy. ### [Tsʽao Kung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/tsao_kung) _professional_ Tsʽao Kung was a major early commentator on Sun Tzǔ, whose annotations became foundational to later study of the text. ### [King of Yüeh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/king_of_yueh) _rivalry_ The King of Yüeh was a historical enemy of Wu, representing the opposing force that Sun Tzǔ's strategies were designed to defeat. ### [Tu Mu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/tu_mu) _professional_ Tu Mu was a Tang dynasty poet and commentator who provided extensive analysis of Sun Tzǔ's text. ### [King of Wu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/king_of_wu) _professional_ The King of Wu was Sun Tzǔ's sovereign and patron, commissioning him to train the army and apply his strategic teachings. ### [Ho Lu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/ho_lu) _professional_ Ho Lu, King of Wu, employed Sun Tzǔ as a military strategist and general, relying on his expertise to build Wu's power. ### [King of Wu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/king_of_wu) _professional_ The King of Wu was Sun Tzǔ's sovereign and patron, commissioning him to train the army and apply his strategic teachings. ## In the story ### [Preface by Lionel Giles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/preface-by-lionel-giles) Author of The Art of War, whose work is the subject of Giles's translation and critique of prior versions. ### [Sun Wu and His Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/sun-wu-and-his-book) The central figure of the chapter, a native of Chʽi State, author of the Art of War, tested by King Ho Lu, and later appointed general of Wu. ### [The Text of Sun Tzǔ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/the-text-of-sun-tz) Author of the Art of War; his text is the subject of the chapter's textual history. ### [Appreciations of Sun Tzǔ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/appreciations-of-sun-tz) Central figure of the chapter; his work is praised by generals and scholars alike. ### [Apologies for War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/apologies-for-war) Cited as the author of the 13 chapters on war, employed by Wu Tzǔ-hsü, and essential for generals to study. ### [The Art of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/the-art-of-war) Author and primary subject of the treatise; presents the core principles of military strategy. ### [Laying Plans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/i-laying-plans) Author and speaker of the chapter's principles on the art of war. ### [II: Waging War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/ii-waging-war) Author of the chapter; presents the economic and strategic principles of waging war. ### [III: Attack by Stratagem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/iii-attack-by-stratagem) Author and primary voice of the chapter, presenting the principles of attacking by stratagem. ### [IV: Tactical Dispositions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/iv-tactical-dispositions) Author of the chapter, presenting the principles of tactical dispositions. ### [Energy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/v-energy) Author of the chapter, presenting the core teachings on energy, direct and indirect tactics, and the use of combined force. ### [VI: Weak Points and Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/vi-weak-points-and-strong) Author of the chapter; presents the core principles of imposing will, concealment, and exploiting weakness. ### [VII: Manoeuvring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/vii-manoeuvring) Author of the chapter, providing principles on manoeuvring and tactical deception. ### [VIII: Variation of Tactics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/viii-variation-of-tactics) Author of the chapter, presenting principles on variation of tactics and the five dangerous faults of a general. ### [IX: The Army on the March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/ix-the-army-on-the-march) Author of the chapter, providing instructions on encamping and observing enemy signs. ### [X: Terrain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/x-terrain) Author of the chapter, defining six kinds of terrain and six calamities, and emphasizing the general's responsibility. ### [XI: The Nine Situations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/xi-the-nine-situations) Author of the chapter, detailing the nine situations and principles for commanding an army. ### [XII: The Attack by Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/xii-the-attack-by-fire) Author of the chapter, presenting the five methods of attacking with fire and the principles for their use. ### [XIII: The Use of Spies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/xiii-the-use-of-spies) Author of the chapter, presenting the doctrine on espionage and foreknowledge. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/endnotes) The author of the work; his principles are referenced throughout the endnotes, including the condemnation of generals who prioritize sentiment over strategy. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/sun_tzu - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters