Tychicus: The Roman Courier is adult, historical fiction set in the second half of the first century of the Common Era. Using contemporary dialogue and action, the story traces the adventures of a civilian, Roman courier who lives by the courier’s code: to deliver a commission and survive in the process.

With the help of an African slave, Tychicus escapes from slavery, learns to fight like a Bantu warrior and travels around the Great Sea basin to Egypt. He completes his education under the sponsorship of Pompeius, a naval commander; he avenges the murder of his first love and becomes a courier. A lifetime of travel takes him to the far reaches of the Roman Empire; he experiences profound love and heartbreaking tragedy.

Although Tychicus contains no religious theme, a sub-plot appeals to a religious audience by telling of Tychicus’ encounters with early Christianity and how he helps preserve and circulate letters written by some of the movement’s founders, such as Paul, Luke, and John.

Reverend Donald Corley resigned as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Gonzales, Texas in 1991 and retired, completing fifty years in the ministry. Dr. Corley moved to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he continued writing fiction and teaching courses in philosophy at Henderson State University, as adjunct faculty. Dr. Corley has written three published novels: THE SHERIFF, THE PEDOPHILE MURDERS, and DOUBLE MURDER IN NEW ORLEANS.

Prior to his pastorate in Texas, Reverend Corley completed a nine-year tenure as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Arkadelphia and three years at the First Presbyterian Church in Bastrop, Louisiana.

From 1957 and lasting twenty years, Doctor Corley directed the hospital chaplains at the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, and organized and supervised the hospital's clinical pastoral education program.

Corley graduated from Ouachita Baptist University, in Arkadelphia, and moved to New Orleans to attend the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned the B.D., Th.M., and Doctor of Theology degrees.

Dr. Corley and Lynell celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 2000. They are the parents of three daughters, Donna (deceased), Betty, and Cindy.

Now seventy-six, Corley stated, "Advancing age places no limits on working toward goals, if a person modifies missed goals according to realistic circumstances. Any person of any age can start from scratch and learn to write: short stories, novels, poetry, essays, news features, magazine articles, technical articles, and letters to editors. Only an individual's interests set the limit to the type of writing attempted."

Vocational Decision

Long before Tychicus's Spanish boat crossed the lake behind the Alexandrian isthmus, a lookout spotted the vessel and reported to Pompeius. Actually, the port commander had posted a lookout for the past ten days with orders to notify him at the first sighting. Upon hearing that the Spanish boat had entered the lake, Pompeius hurried to the isthmus dock and waited.

As the boat neared, Pompeius saw only Tychicus and instinctively knew that something was wrong. However, the military commander did not earn his rank by guessing or by making uninformed decisions. With bad news, waiting is better than seeking superficial explanations. When the boat drew near, Pompieus waved.

Tychicus waved back but concentrated on bringing the boat about for a safe docking.

The boat was near enough for Pompeius to see Tychicus's face. The old man gasped at what he saw. A youth had sailed away with blue eyes flashing with anticipation; those blue eyes now reflected a sadness characteristic of older men. The former Tychicus moved like an unbroken stallion straining at a bridle; the present youth moved deliberately, like a well-coordinated athlete. A no-nonsense countenance had replaced the youth's former excitement.

Tychicus was unaware of the changes in his appearance. On the trip from Abydos, he had traveled without adequate rest and ate only when necessary. During the trip, he had thought about his relationship to Pompeius. Failing a sacred trust haunted him, and Zillah's and Octavian's deaths compounded his feelings of guilt. Long before he reached Alexandria, he had resigned himself to Pompeius's wrath; thus, adding to his grief. Although he had delivered the communication to Quadradus, Tychicus was alive; he should have died fighting for Octavia's and Zillah's life.

"Greetings, Tychicus!" shouted Pompeius. "I'm pleased to see you safely returned." He watched the lad step off the Spanish boat to the dock and rushed over and hugged Tychicus, a most un-Roman act. The youth's lack of reciprocal response disappointed him. He released the lad from the embrace and stepped back, waiting for an explanation.