Sun Tzu (traditional Chinese: 孫子; simplified Chinese: 孙子; pinyin: Sūnzǐ), also known by his birth name Sun Wu (traditional Chinese: 孫武; simplified Chinese: 孙武), was a legendary figure in Chinese and East Asian culture. A military general, strategist, philosopher, and writer, Sun Tzu is most famous for being the author of The Art of War, a profoundly influential work on military strategy that has shaped both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thought.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding his historicity, traditional Chinese historians, including the Han dynasty historian Sima Qian, have placed him as a minister to King Helü of Wu, with his life dating back to 544–496 BC. Modern scholars, acknowledging his historicity, posit that The Art of War was composed during the later Warring States period, based on its stylistic composition and descriptions of warfare. It is notable that Sun Tzu is also associated with a treatise on military tactics by a supposed descendant, Sun Bin, also titled The Art of War. This has led to some confusion over their identities, resolved only with the rediscovery of Sun Bin's work in 1972.

Throughout East Asian military history, Sun Tzu's work has been revered and utilized. In the twentieth century, The Art of War gained global attention and saw practical applications in the Western world as well. It remains influential across a broad spectrum of competitive endeavors beyond military strategy, including espionage, culture, governance, business, and sports.