Dense polycrystalline eutectics of alumina and yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) were fabricated by hot-pressing powders of pulverized are-melted buttons at homologous temperatures of 0.9T(eu)-0.93T(eu) (where T-eu is the eutectic temperature). The eutectic microstructure of the are-melted buttons was retained after densification, although the grain boundaries were decorated with equiaxed grains of alumina and YAG similar to 1-5 mu m in size; possible causes for their formation have been discussed. A comparison of the measured strength of the polycrystalline eutectics (274 +/- 61 MPa) with grain size and fracture toughness suggests that the strength-limiting flaws are significantly smaller than the mean grain size and larger than the mean eutectic spacing.