I just had a chance to listen again to the marvelous Fagles translation of The Iliad, read by Derek Jacobi. You can't get much better than that.

Again and again, I keep wondering what aspects of Achilles' life attracted Alexander. Obviously, the idea of "short life, great glory" - but I have real issues admiring Achilles. Yes, in war he was unstoppable, but he seems to me less than admirable in many ways, particularly when his ego got in the way of his service to his king.

Does anyone have any insights why this man would so impress Alexander? Or was it just his brilliance as a warrior?