No more words – he dashed toward the city,
heart racing for some great exploit, rushing on
like a champion stallion drawing a chariot full tilt,
sweeping across the plain in easy, tearing strides –
so Achilles hurtled on, driving legs and knees.
– Homer
The Iliad, Book 22, lines 26-30. After having words with Apollo, Achilles runs towards the city of Troy, racing like a champion stallion pulling a chariot at full speed, Homer’s exquisite epic simile tells us.