Ranks of Bronze is a science fiction novel by American writer David Drake.
Plot summary A defeated Roman legion is sold into slavery to alien traders seeking low tech soldiers to be used in conflicts to secure trading rights on alien planets.chapters.indigo.com Their new masters soon learn that the Romans are the best low tech fighters that can be found. Given their worth as soldiers and success on the battlefield, the Romans' alien masters provide them with everything, including near immortality. However, the Romans want only one thing, and that is to go home.
Sequels Foreign Legions (2002) short stories edited by Drake The Excalibur Alternative (2002), David Weber
Release details Paperback edition 1986 Paperback edition 2001
References
Cassada J. "Foreign Legions (Book Review)" . Library Journal. 2001;126(11):107. Accessed August 12, 2025. Zaleski J, Canon P. "Foreign Legions (Book Review)". Publishers Weekly. 2001;248(20):58. Accessed 31 March 2026.
External links Ranks of Bronze at Baen Books, including a free sample Ranks of Bronze—Author's blog post about the book
scifi-fantasy-info.com, David drake bibliography