Were the Germans physically superior?

[diegis]

Well, since the usual result of a battle betwen germanic and roman armies (with few exceptions and until the "agony" period of roman empire) was a roman victory, usualy a smaller (much smaller) roman army vs a germanic army, i dont think a presumly taller germanic peoples was necessary physicaly superior too. First, a roman soldier was i think at least 1.70 m, and benefit from a constant training and better equipment. His training was very harsh, with marches with all equipment on it, runnings, even swimming, wrestling, boxing, using of individual weapons or colective ones, battle formations, engeenering work, etc. He eat constantly, and benefit from doctors help, even on the battlefield. It have a better stamina and better training and more experience. Even with 5 cm. smaller, an experienced roman legionar was probably more physicaly resistant and skilled then other enemies, and able to fight even one on one vs. any of them, with big chances of winning.
Not to mention that at some point in roman army was present many other nationalities, presumly "bigger" too then usual "roman", like celts, thracians (even dacians), ilyrians, even germans, sarmatians, etc.