Canta oh Diosa la cólera del pélida Aquiles

cólera funesta que causó infinitas muertes entre los aqueos

Following on vulpecula's approach to the Illiad. I have to say that for me the most interesting character, by far, is that of Achilles and the inner conflict he has:
The whole book protrays the decision he has to take: he has to choose between a long life on his land, with his family, and a short life in the battlefield in exchange for glory, and he chooses the later.
This shows us how, for the greeks, the greatest form of success was "to be the subject of poetry", that is, to be remembered by others, which is what we would call "fame" nowadays.

If the story took place in present time heroes wouldn't be those who seek glory, but those who seek (and find) money, but, would I really chooose a ton of money in exchange of, let's say, a mentally challenging ocupation? I think not