When AI researchers attempt to replicate the minds of historical figures, their first success is Francisco Pizarro... who they then introduce to their second success, Socrates.
The Spanish translation won the 2001 Premio Ignotus for Best Foreign Short Story.[3]
Steven H Silver noted that the story has "little action", but nonetheless raises questions about the philosophical issues discussed not only by Pizarro and Socrates, but also by the researchers.[4]
Sequels
"Enter a Soldier. Later: Enter Another" served as the basis for Time Gate, an anthology of stories by other authors using Silverberg's setting.[4]