The Art Of War Trivia Quiz

Answer: c. 500 B.C.

Although an exact date is cloudy, Sun Tzu's work is generally accepted to have been written around 500 B.C. and is still considered the definitive work on strategy, even in modern times.

Answer: Leadership

Although leadership is an obvious choice for a general or any leader of an army, it is not one of the virtues ascribed by Sun Tzu. The five virtues of a general are: Wisdom, Sincerety, Humanity, Courage, and Strictness.

Answer: They are enraged

The lowest common denominator seems to be the reason behind brutal attacks on an enemy. When T'ien Tan's troops butchered their prisoners, he knew they were ready for battle, and devastated Yen, his enemy.

Answer: Attack the enemy's strategy

To be able to win a war without fighting is the pinnacle of skill. By resolving difficulties before they occur and attacking plans at their inception, you are able to limit or even completely eliminate your enemy's options, ensuring a victory.

Answer: Calculations

The elements of war are: measurement of space (on the ground), estimation of quantities (of the enemy), calculations (degree of difficulty getting to the enemy), comparisons (of other victories), and chances of victory (based on all other calculations).

Answer: Normal to engage, extraordinary to win

While engaging the enemy, strategy and regular power is needed, but to ensure victory, extraordinary power is required to vanquish and conquer.

Answer: They bring the enemy to the field of battle

It is always advantageous to bring the enemy to the field of battle. When you do, you have begun to already dictate his movements, which allows for your strategy to take shape.

Answer: Deception

By use of misinformation, spies, and rapid changes in the situation, the main goal is to make your opponent believe the opposite of what you intend.

Answer: Fear

Fear is always present, but to persevere in the face of fear is courage; to allow it to make you hesitate is cowardice. The five dangerous qualities of a general are: Recklessness, Cowardice, Quick-temperment, a delicate sense of honor, and Compassion.

Answer: Allow some of the force to cross, then strike

By letting half of the force cross, then striking, you keep the advantage of staying on ground, but attack before they can re-establish order or formations.

Answer: In distress

If the troops are weak, the efforts of the officers will be in vain. Any orders given may be strategically beneficial, but without an effective army to carry them out, they will fall into chaos.

Answer: Snake

Constant attacks even while being attacked are the basis for this analogy. Although a scorpion would seem to make more sense, the snake is used so that when the tail is attacked, the head strikes; when struck on the head, the tail attacks; and when struck in the middle, both head and tail attack.

Answer: Weather conditions

Hot, scorching days are the best times to attack by fire. Also, wind conditions, snow, rain, and a myriad of other weather conditions can affect fire attacks. Sun Tzu says you should only attack with fire on suitable times to ensure an effective attack.

Answer: Outside

The five types of agents that you can employ are: Native (agents from the enemy's country), Inside (enemy officials), Doubled (enemy spies), Expendable (your own spies that are sacrificed with false information), and Living (spies who have returned with accurate information).

Answer: Cavalry

Cavalry was not a branch of any Chinese army until around 320 BC when King Wu Ling of Chao State introduced it. Therefore, it does not merit even a passing mention in Sun Tzu's work.