03-25-2010, 08:41 AM
Well, i think first of all Roman soldiers might had come from diferent places, not just italian peninsula, so their size (if we consider nationality) can vary. As well, the selection was pretty good (at least 170 cm high and a decent physical shape). They had a harsh training, constant activities and eat regulary. I think that a legionar of 175 cm, with 10 years in the army, constant training and several campagnies fight against diferent enemies will be able to fight with success, 1 on 1 vs. any other 180 cm tall enemy, germanic or others, who had obviously less training and experience.
Germans, with couple exceptions, (as Arausio, but there too because of stupidity of a roman comander) wasnt a match for roman army for a long time. Just later, when the empire start to crumble because its own internal problems and when germans start to be somehow "romanized" (especialy from military point of view). That was the main reason of their later succes, and not simply a possible physical superiority of them, as being taller (even if, agree, several cm. taller can count in such fights, but count as well the stamina, skills, experience, weaponry and even psychology).
Germans, with couple exceptions, (as Arausio, but there too because of stupidity of a roman comander) wasnt a match for roman army for a long time. Just later, when the empire start to crumble because its own internal problems and when germans start to be somehow "romanized" (especialy from military point of view). That was the main reason of their later succes, and not simply a possible physical superiority of them, as being taller (even if, agree, several cm. taller can count in such fights, but count as well the stamina, skills, experience, weaponry and even psychology).
Razvan A.
