The Art of War · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
Sun Tzǔ
major
Also known as Sun Wu, Sun Tzǔ Wu, Wu, Sun
The legendary Chinese military strategist and author of The Art of War.
Tu Mu
supporting
Also known as 杜牧 Tu Mu
A Tang dynasty poet and commentator on Sun Tzǔ's work.
Capt. E. F. Calthrop
minor
Also known as Capt. Calthrop, Calthrop, Capt
An early English translator of The Art of War.
Chang Yü
supporting
Also known as Chang
A commentator on Sun Tzǔ's text from the Sung dynasty.
Tsʽao Kung
supporting
Also known as Tsʽao, Kung
A famous Chinese warlord and commentator on The Art of War.
Tu Yu
minor
Also known as 杜佑 Tu Yu, Yu
A Tang dynasty scholar and commentator on military classics.
Mei Yao-chʽên
minor
Also known as Mei Yao, Mei Yao - Chʽên
A Sung dynasty poet and commentator on Sun Tzǔ.
Pan Chʽao
minor
A Han dynasty general mentioned in the commentaries.
Wang Hsi
minor
Also known as Wang, Hsi, Wang - tzǔ
A commentator on The Art of War from the Sung period.
Han Hsin
minor
Also known as 漢 Han
A brilliant Han dynasty general cited in the text.
Chʽên Hao
minor
Also known as 陳皡 Chʽên Hao
A commentator on Sun Tzǔ's military treatise.
Chia Lin
minor
Also known as Lin
A Tang dynasty commentator on The Art of War.
Li Chʽüan
minor
A Tang dynasty writer who annotated Sun Tzǔ.
Ho Lu
supporting
Also known as 闔盧 Ho Lu, King Ho Lu
King of Wu who tested Sun Tzǔ with his concubines.
Ho Shih
minor
Also known as 何氏 Ho Shih, Shih
A commentator on The Art of War.
Confucius
minor
The great Chinese philosopher, quoted in the commentaries.
Sun Hsing-yen
minor
Also known as Sun
A scholar who edited and commented on Sun Tzǔ's text.
Tʽien Chi
minor
Also known as 田忌 Tʽien Chi, Chʽi
A general of Chʽi state mentioned in historical examples.
Chao Kua
minor
Also known as Kua
A Zhao general whose defeat is cited as a cautionary tale.
Sun Pin
minor
Also known as 孫臏 Sun Pin, Pin
A descendant of Sun Tzǔ and military strategist.
Tung Cho
minor
Also known as 董卓 Tung Cho, Cho
A warlord from the Three Kingdoms period, cited in examples.
Napoleon Bonaparte
minor
Also known as Bonaparte
The French emperor, referenced as a modern military example.
Mêng Ta
minor
Also known as 孟達 Mêng Ta
A Shu Han general mentioned in the commentaries.
Prince Chuang of Chʽu
minor
Also known as Chʽu
A ruler of Chʽu known for his military campaigns.
Pʽang Chüan
minor
A Wei general defeated by Sun Pin in a famous battle.
Wu Chʽi
minor
Also known as 吳起 Wu Chʽi, Chʽi
A Chinese military leader and legalist philosopher.
Li Ching
minor
Also known as 李靖 Li Ching
A Tang dynasty general and military writer.
Lü Mêng
minor
Also known as Mêng Shih, 呂蒙 Lü Mêng
A Wu general from the Three Kingdoms period.
Hannibal
minor
The Carthaginian general, cited as a military exemplar.
Wellington
minor
The Duke of Wellington, referenced in modern comparisons.
Marshal Turenne
minor
Also known as Turenne
A French marshal mentioned in the preface.
Tsʽao Kuei
minor
Also known as 曹劌 Tsʽao Kuei
A strategist from the Spring and Autumn period.
Ssǔ-ma Chʽien
minor
The Han dynasty historian, source of many anecdotes.
Wei Liao Tzǔ
minor
Also known as 魏 Wei, Wei Liao
A Chinese military text author cited in the work.
Lü Pu
minor
Also known as Tʽien Pu
A warlord from the Three Kingdoms era, mentioned briefly.
Stonewall Jackson
minor
Also known as Jackson
A Confederate general referenced in the preface.
Tsʽao Tsʽao
minor
A Han dynasty warlord and commentator on Sun Tzǔ.
King of Wu
minor
Also known as Ho Lü, Wu
The ruler who employed Sun Tzǔ as a general.
Tʽai Kung
minor
A legendary Chinese strategist and advisor to King Wen.
Chao Shê
minor
A Zhao general known for his military skill.
Wang Chien
minor
A Qin general who conquered the Zhao state.
Ssǔ-ma I
minor
Also known as 司馬懿 Ssǔ - ma I
A Wei general and strategist from the Three Kingdoms.
Ssǔ-ma Jang-chü
minor
Also known as Jang - chu
A Spring and Autumn period military commander.
Kou Chien
minor
Also known as 勾踐 Kou Chien
The King of Yüeh who defeated Wu.
Chʽao Kung-wu
minor
Also known as 鼂公武 Chʽao Kung - wu
A Song dynasty bibliographer cited in the text.
Chu-ko Liang
minor
The Shu Han chancellor and military strategist.
Col. Henderson
minor
Also known as Henderson
A British military writer referenced in the preface.
King of Yüeh
minor
Also known as Yüeh
The ruler of Yüeh, often in conflict with Wu.
Chou Hsin
minor
Also known as Chou
The last Shang king, overthrown by King Wu.
Yao Hsiang
minor
Also known as 姚襄 Yao Hsiang
A Jin dynasty rebel general mentioned in examples.
Lung Chü
minor
Also known as 龍且 Lung Chü
A Qi general defeated by Han Hsin.
Père Amiot
minor
A French Jesuit who translated Sun Tzǔ into French.
M. Chavannes
minor
Also known as Chavannes
A French sinologist cited in the preface.
Mencius
minor
The Confucian philosopher, quoted in the work.
Chu Hsi
minor
A Neo-Confucian scholar referenced in the text.
General Grant
minor
Ulysses S. Grant, mentioned in the preface.
Frederick the Great
minor
Also known as Frederick
The Prussian king, cited as a military leader.
Lien Pʽo
minor
Also known as 廉頗 Lien Pʽo
A Zhao general from the Warring States period.
Duke Chuang of Lu
minor
Also known as Lu
A Lu ruler involved in the battle of Chʽang-shao.
Huang Ti
minor
Also known as Shih Huang Ti
The Yellow Emperor, legendary founder of Chinese civilization.
Wu Yüan
minor
Also known as 伍員 Wu Yüan, Yüan
A Wu statesman and general, also known as Wu Zixu.
Duke Ching of Chʽi
minor
Also known as Chʽi
A Qi ruler mentioned in the commentaries.
Ou-yang Hsiu
minor
Also known as 歐陽修 Ou - yang Hsiu
A Song dynasty scholar and official cited in the text.
Legge
minor
James Legge, a Scottish sinologist referenced in the work.
Kao Tsu
minor
The founder of the Han dynasty, mentioned in examples.
Hsün Ying
minor
Also known as 荀罃 Hsün Ying
A Jin general from the Spring and Autumn period.
Kung-tzǔ Kuang
minor
Also known as 公子光 Kung - tzǔ Kuang, Kuang
A prince of Wu who later became King Ho Lu.
Yeh Shui-hsin
minor
A Song dynasty scholar cited in the bibliography.
Chêng Yu-hsien
minor
A Qing dynasty editor of Sun Tzǔ's text.
Tʽai Tsung
minor
Also known as Tʽang Emperor Tʽai Tsung
The Tang emperor who wrote on military strategy.
Fu Yen-chʽing
minor
Also known as Fu
A Tang dynasty general mentioned in the text.
Pʽei Hsing-chien
minor
Also known as 裴行儉 Pʽei Hsing - chien
A Tang dynasty general and diplomat.
Ching Kʽo
minor
Also known as 荆軻 Ching Kʽo
An assassin who attempted to kill the Qin king.
Êrh-chu Chao
minor
Also known as Chao
A Northern Wei general mentioned in the commentaries.
