Seven Military Classics
Encyclopedia
The Seven Military Classics of China
were seven important military texts of ancient China which included Sun-tzu's The Art of War
. The texts were canonized under this name during the 11th century AD, and from the Song Dynasty
onwards were included in most military encyclopedias. For imperial officers, either some or all of the works were required reading to merit promotion like the requirement for all bureaucrats to learn and know Confucius'
work. There were many anthologies
with different notations and analyses by scholars throughout the centuries leading up to the present versions in Western publishing. The emperor Kangxi of Qing dynasty commented the seven military classics as such: "I have read all of the seven books, among them there are some materials that are not necessarily right, ... and there are superstitious stuff can be used by bad people." Members of the Communist Party of China
also studied the texts during the Chinese Civil War
as well as many European and American military
minds.
Song Shenzong
(宋神宗), sixth emperor of the Song Dynasty
, determined which texts would compose this anthology in 1080.
and Mei-chün Sawyer, who created one of the latest translations, the Seven Military Classics include the following texts:
There are no other known variations of the Seven Military Classics anthology with alternating members but the constituent works themselves have had many multiple versions, especially the Art of War, which has had at least several dozen different translations to English
in the 20th Century alone.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
were seven important military texts of ancient China which included Sun-tzu's The Art of War
The Art of War
The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise that is attributed to Sun Tzu , a high ranking military general and strategist during the late Spring and Autumn period...
. The texts were canonized under this name during the 11th century AD, and from the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
onwards were included in most military encyclopedias. For imperial officers, either some or all of the works were required reading to merit promotion like the requirement for all bureaucrats to learn and know Confucius'
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
work. There were many anthologies
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
with different notations and analyses by scholars throughout the centuries leading up to the present versions in Western publishing. The emperor Kangxi of Qing dynasty commented the seven military classics as such: "I have read all of the seven books, among them there are some materials that are not necessarily right, ... and there are superstitious stuff can be used by bad people." Members of the Communist Party of China
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
also studied the texts during the Chinese Civil War
Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War was a civil war fought between the Kuomintang , the governing party of the Republic of China, and the Communist Party of China , for the control of China which eventually led to China's division into two Chinas, Republic of China and People's Republic of...
as well as many European and American military
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
minds.
Song Shenzong
Emperor Shenzong of Song
Emperor Shenzong of Song was the sixth emperor of the Chinese Song Dynasty. His personal name was Zhao Xu...
(宋神宗), sixth emperor of the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, determined which texts would compose this anthology in 1080.
List
According to Ralph D. SawyerRalph D. Sawyer
Ralph D. Sawyer is an American historian, scholar of Chinese warfare and military theory, and president of consultancy firm Sawyer Strategic Consultants. His works include commentated translations of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies, Sun Bin's Military Methods, and The Seven Military Classics of...
and Mei-chün Sawyer, who created one of the latest translations, the Seven Military Classics include the following texts:
- Jiang Ziya (Taigong)Jiang ZiyaJiang Ziya was a Chinese historical and legendary figure who resided next to the Weishui River about 3,000 years ago. A sage and military strategist, Jiang Ziya was called upon by King Wen of Zhou to serve as prime minister...
's Six Secret TeachingsSix Secret TeachingsThe Six Secret Teachings , is a treatise on civil and military strategy traditionally attributed to the legendary figure Jiāng Zǐyá, a confederate of King Wen of Zhou, founder of the Zhou Dynasty, at around the eleventh century BC... - The Methods of the Ssu-maThe Methods of the Ssu-maThe Methods of the Sima is a text discussing laws, regulations, government policies, military organization, military administration, discipline, basic values, tactics, and strategy. It is considered to be one of the Seven Military Classics of ancient China...
(also known as Sima Rangju Art of War) - Sun TzuSun TzuSun Wu , style name Changqing , better known as Sun Tzu or Sunzi , was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who is traditionally believed, and who is most likely, to have authored The Art of War, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy...
's The Art of WarThe Art of WarThe Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise that is attributed to Sun Tzu , a high ranking military general and strategist during the late Spring and Autumn period... - Wu QiWu QiWu Qi was a Chinese military leader and politician in the Warring States period.-Biography:Born in the State of Wei , he was skilled in leading armies and military strategy. He had served in the states of Lu and Wei. In the state of Wei he commanded many great battles and was appointed Xihe Shou...
's WuziWuziThe Wuzi is a classic Chinese work on military strategy attributed to Wu Qi. It is considered one of China's Seven Military Classics.It is said there were two books on the art of war by Wu Qi, but one was lost, hence leaving the Wuzi as the only existing book carrying Wu Qi's military thoughts.... - Wei Liaozi
- Three Strategies of Huang Shigong
- Questions and Replies between Tang Taizong and Li Weigong
There are no other known variations of the Seven Military Classics anthology with alternating members but the constituent works themselves have had many multiple versions, especially the Art of War, which has had at least several dozen different translations to English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
in the 20th Century alone.