The Art of War Essays - 2163 Words

The earliest known writings on war did not take the form of treatises but narratives. Poems, such as those by Homer and the Epic of Gilgamesh glorified heroes while prose accounts carved into Egyptian, Assyrian, and Babylonian monuments described individual campaigns and battles. However, these tales with their gods and godlike heroes may or may not have contained any historical truths. In China a third type of military writing emerged. After the fall of the Chou (c. 400 BC) China divided into principalities that continuously fought each other and developed professional standing armies which produced expert generals. Between 400 and 200 BC many generals began writing down their methods or had other authors write the methods for them. The†¦show more content†¦Sun Tzu divided the concubines into two companies and appointed the two most favored as the company commanders. Sun Tzu ordered them to face right, to which they did nothing but giggle. According to Sun Tzu the failure to follow the order was his fault as the general because he was responsible for ensuring that the â€Å"soldiers† understood his command. When the women fell into giggles the second time his command was given, he ordered the â€Å"commanders† executed, much to the king’s displeasure, stating that if the soldiers understood the command and did not obey, the fault fell to the officers. Sun Tzu appointed two new concubines to commanders and both companies performed their maneuvers without mistake. The Shiji reports that Sun Tzu applied his methods and tactics in battle and proved that they were effective. Based on these incidents of success, Sun Tzu achieved a triumphant military career and composed The Art of War. The book contains only thirteen chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of military strategy: Laying Plans, Waging War, Attack by Stratagem, Tactical Dispositions, Energy, Weak Points and Strong, Maneuvering, Variation in Tactics, The Army on the March, Terrain, The Nine Situations, Attack by Fire, The Use of Spies. While emphasizing the importance of the positioning of the army, based on objective and environment, Sun Tzu statesShow MoreRelatedWar On The War Of Art1658 Words   |  7 PagesWar in Art Introduction Everybody thinks they know what art should be. But very few of them have the sense that is necessary to experience painting, that is the sense of sight, that sees colors and forms as living reality in the picture. -- Otto Dix (Mulch, page 1) War in art. It was not an easy job and yet to this day has not gotten easier. There are two different sides when it comes to war art. 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The ideas and facts expressedRead MoreArt of War Summary1109 Words   |  5 PagesArt of War is a famous Chinese military strategy book written by Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese military general. He was famous during his time and for his work entitled Art of War, which made him known even up to our century. According to Wallace (2010), Sun Tzu is the author of one of the most prominent pieces of literature during the era of the Warring States in which China entered around the first millennium B.C.E. In this work of art Sun Tzu tak es a rational approach to the problem of conflictRead MoreArt of War Summary1109 Words   |  5 PagesArt of War is a famous Chinese military strategy book written by Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese military general. He was famous during his time and for his work entitled Art of War, which made him known even up to our century. According to Wallace (2010), Sun Tzu is the author of one of the most prominent pieces of literature during the era of the Warring States in which China entered around the first millennium B.C.E. In this work of art Sun Tzu takes a rational approach to the problem of conflictRead MoreThe Prince And The Art Of War890 Words   |  4 PagesGeneral: During the early European renaissance, military and political influencer Niccolo Machiavelli published several influential works, including The Prince and The Art of War. His work s greatest impacts were expanding on the brutal nature of realpolitik and realism to maintain peace within a highly competitive system and pr omoting the war manpower shift from mercenaries to citizen militias with buy-in. Many nation-states use his political and military ideals as a basis for their own statecraft andRead MoreThe Art of War for Managers1438 Words   |  6 PagesThe Art of War for Managers While â€Å"The Art of War† was written by Sun Tzu during the 6th century B.C., long before the colonization of the Americas, the onslaught of the Crusades, and before the Persian Wars of around 490 B.C., it remains relevant to this day. There is also strong evidence that the work inspired Napoleon and was used in the planning of Operation Desert Storm. â€Å"The Art of War† has withstood the sands of time due to its simplistic approach, and its applicability to non-military