Chaos, Chariots, and Courage

By J. Clifton Slater

Chaos, Chariots, and Courage
Book 2 in The Violent Path series
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 is 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.

Disclaimer: No sentence, paragraph, chapter, or idea in J. Clifton Slater's historical adventure novels was produced, written, or suggested by A.I.

Other Books By J. Clifton Slater:
The Violent Path series
1. Disowned by Rome
2. Chaos, Chariots, and Courage

Clay Warrior Stories series is set against the backdrop of the first war between the agrarian city-state of Rome and the trading empire of Carthage. This series follows a Roman heavy infantryman in a bloody romp through the First Punic War. Although Alerio Sisera, a talented swordsman, has a minor problem. He's been adopted by Nenia, the Goddess of Death. And sometimes when calm should rule, Nenia reaches for Alerio's gladius.
#1 Clay Legionary
#2 Spilled Blood
#3 Bloody Water
#4 Reluctant Siege
#5 Brutal Diplomacy
#6 Fortune Reigns
#7 Fatal Obligation
#8 Infinite Courage
#9 Deceptive Valor
#10 Neptune's Fury
#11 Unjust Sacrifice
#12 Muted Implications
#13 Death Caller
#14 Rome's Tribune
#15 Deranged Sovereignty
#16 Uncertain Honor
#17 Tribune's Oath
#18 Savage Birthright
#19 Abject Authority

A Legion Archer series is set against the backdrop of the Second Punic War between ancient Rome and Carthage. As Hannibal Barca goes undefeated, a young Roman nobleman begins to study the Carthaginian. And as he grows, learns, and becomes undefeated himself, Cornelius Scipio prepares for the final confrontation between the two Generals. Accompanying Scipio on his journey is Jace Kasia. An orphan with the heart of a mercenary, Jace underwent brutal training on the Island of Crete to become a master archer.
#1 Journey from Exile
#2 Pity the Rebellious
#3 Heritage of Threat
#4 A Legion Legacy
#5 Authority of Rome
#6 Unlawful Kingdom
#7 From Dawn to Death
#8 The General's Tribune
#9 When War Gods Battle
#10 Salvation of Exile

Provinces of Rome series is the adventure of a youth seeking glory. Come, follow along as Scanlan travels through Greek city-states, Macedonia, Lower Syria, and Egypt in 201 B.C.
#1 Allies, Spies, and Conflicts
#2 Lies and Shadows

Gygax Odyssey series, historical fiction set in 607 B.C.
Dungeons & Dragons inspired historical novels from stories passed down from Ernest Gary Gygax, the co-creator of the popular board game D&D.
(Co-written with Luke Gygax)
#1 The Gygax Odyssey
#2 Wrath of the Cyclops

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GZ7WH2SM
• ISBN13: 9798195069353
• Release Date: May 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 0.93 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"