During the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 B.C.) and the period of the Warring States (475-221 B.C.), China was divided into six or seven states that often resorted to war with each other in their struggles for supremacy. Warfare was the predominant way of life. Many treaties have been written on warfare, such as Master Sun's Art of War, Master Wu's Art of War and Sun Bin's Art of War, each being in-depth studies of warfare which remain virtual Bibles of the battlefield even to this day. Discovery of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's terra cotta legions helped to resolve some rules in the tactic books, which has been hitherto unclear.

Xian Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses

Terracotta Warriors Stand in Line

Sun Tzu and The Art of War

Sun Tzu, fl. 4th century BC, also spelled SUN-TZU or Sun Zi, reputed author of the Chinese classic Bing-fa (The Art of War), the earliest known treatise on war and military science.

The book is traditionally attributed to Sun Tzu (personal name Sun Wu), a military strategist and general who served the state of Wu near the end of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). It is more likely, however, that it was written early in the Warring States period (475-221 BC).

Repaired Terracotta Horses in the Pit

Terracotta Warrior and Horses

The Art of War is a systematic guide to strategy and tactics for rulers and commanders. The book discusses various manoeuvres and the effect of terrain on the outcome of battles. It stresses the importance of accurate information about the enemy's forces, dispositions, deployments, and movements. This is summarized in the axiom 'Know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat.' It also emphasizes the unpredictability of battle and the use of flexible strategies and tactics.

The Formation of Qin Terra Cotta Army

The pits provide an incredible amount of information of the army's forces, dispositions such as the distribution and formation of ranks, the use of weapons and the application of military tactics.

'The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize their combined energy.

When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped, to go rolling down.' - Sun Tzu

 Photos of Terracotta Warriors