Ranks of Bronze is a science fiction novel by American writer David Drake.

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.

[1] Their new masters soon learn that the Romans are the best low tech fighters that can be found.

[1] Given their worth as soldiers and success on the battlefield, the Romans' alien masters provide them with everything, including near immortality.

[1] However, the Romans want only one thing, and that is to go home.