Here’s the set-up for Sterling Nixon’s The Sea Kings of Rome, just $4.99 on Kindle:

What started out as a traditional fight to the death ended up being the most dramatic gladiatorial bout ever recorded blow for blow. No other fight in Roman history has been more sensational, more remarkable than the fight between Priscus and Verus.

The bout’s curious place in history stems from it’s unique beginning and remarkable end. In 79 AD, two men heralded as demi-gods, stepped onto Roman Triremes as they prepared themselves for the Naumachia. They were both champions, having proved themselves through epic gladiatorial combat; but now, as they looked over the dozens of ships crowded in the man-made harbor, they would have a chance to join the ranks of legend.

None of that fame mattered to Verus-a man who had been forced into this barbarity. As he stared long and hard at thousands of opponents across the lake, all begging for the combat to begin, only one of the many faces mattered to him-that was the man that caused the nightmares, the man that undid everything. That was the man they called Priscus the Gaul.

From the reviewers:

Gripping and psychologically poignant book!   This is an epic book! I loved it from the first to the last page. Pretty amazing how Sterling can take two character through so many twists and turns. I was amazed at the depth of feeling and character in the book; I did not expect that from a gladiator book.  –  Julia Hamblin

I’ve always enjoyed historical fiction and this book grabbed my attention from the beginning, reading it in a little less than a day. As much as I loved the descriptions of the epic fights, the personal stories of Verus and Priscus were the most powerful elements of the story. Great detail and great writing. I took Latin for three years and have studied Roman culture and history and I was very impressed by the depth of the author’s research and knowledge. I highly recommend this novel.  –  Perseus

I have a list of certain books in my personal library that I tend to return to, to read over and over again, and I know that this one has made it to that list.  –  “justme”

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