Sun Tzu was a Chinese military general, strategist, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Eastern Zhou period. He is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, a Classical Chinese text on military strategy that emerged during the Warring States period. However, scholars believe the earliest parts of this influential work probably date to at least a century after Sun Tzu's lifetime, suggesting the text evolved over generations rather than being composed by a single author. The Art of War became one of the most significant military treatises in history, studied and applied far beyond its original context. Sun Tzu's name became synonymous with strategic thinking and military philosophy in Chinese culture and eventually worldwide.