Chaos, Chariots, and Courage

The Year: 433 B.C. The Place: the City-State of Rome The Era: Seventy-six years post the Kingdom of Rome

Rivus Caudex wanted to race chariots in the glorious venue of Circus Maximus. Yet, three things stood in the way of Rivus’ dream. He was just thirteen, a coinless free born, and he had no following or reputation in the local circuit as a chariot driver.

For Cor Livis, teaching combat provided the best scenario for the warrior-philosopher. Without putting his life at risk in an actual assault line, he sharpened his martial skills through drills. And when a scholarly nobile Patrician needed war credits to make his way in Roman society, Cor was the perfect instructor to train him.

Drafted as a training partner, Rivus Caudex found the situation life-changing. Exceeding anything the youth could have dreamed of, the new path took Rivus from the chariot racing circuit to war. From races where he could win coins and adoration to combat where the reward was survival.

Chaos, Chariots, and Courage is a historical fiction novel by noted historical adventure writer J. Clifton Slater. Events in this novel were inspired by the writings of the ancient Roman historian Livy.