I had the same problem a few years ago with a domain name I needed. Godaddy said if I paid them $50 dollars they would try to contact the domain owner or company to see if they could negotiate a buyout for me. I paid the fee but they weren't able to do anything. I waited till the domain name...
Its strange that you mention the Iliad. Thats exactly what my girlfriend did with her seven year old nephew. He hates reading, but she pulled out the Odyssey and the kid got hooked. It helped that the book had a lot of pictures but he was just crazy about all the Greek monsters with odysseus in...
The problem's not that he's not into ya hon. He is into you and every other great looking chic in uni. Thats the routine, he's scouting all potential chics to bag, so do realize that. I wouldn't take it personal if I were you. If you like the guy make a move and see where it goes from there...