How tall are you?

[Al B. Sure!]

I'm afraid we're destined to lose that one. There are just more shorties then tall people.

That said in college I was considered one of the short ones because I was "only" 6'1" while of the eight people in my suite five of them were 6"3-6"5" and only two of them were under 6'. I object loudly and often to being called short because 6'1" is not short but it did no good. One girl I dated even said she never knew I was really that tall because I always looked so much shorter then the guys around me.

I really question this whole average American male height is 5'9 1/2". That seems entirely too short. If that were true, I would be towering over everybody I know but honestly, I'm average compared to most guys. No one ever remarks that I'm 'tall'.

I have a feeling it's Mexicans and Asians shrinking the population I would suspect the average height of whites and Blacks is 5'11"-6'1"

[Al B. Sure!]

Roman legionaries had to be 5'10". That was the minimum height instituted by Marius' Reforms. And mind you, Marius goals was to popularize the Roman army and maximize the pool of available soldiers.

It seems odd to say that the average American is shorter than the minimum height of Roman soldiers.

[Dinner]

I have a feeling it's Mexicans and Asians shrinking the population I would suspect the average height of whites and Blacks is 5'11"-6'1"

That's the honest truth. Mexicans and Asians shrink the national average in the official statistics where as when you compare native born whites or blacks the average height is probably taller then 5"9". The university I went to was 90% white so even though I was 6"1" and a solid 4" taller then the national average since everyone was white I was thought to be on the shorter side.

The school needed more Asians and wetbacks so I'd look better.

[Dinner]

I have a feeling it's Mexicans and Asians shrinking the population I would suspect the average height of whites and Blacks is 5'11"-6'1"

Yeah, we're on the high side of average to just above average for Caucasians but 2/3rds of a foot above the national average.

[Dinner]

Roman legionaries had to be 5'10". That was the minimum height instituted by Marius' Reforms. And mind you, Marius goals was to popularize the Roman army and maximize the pool of available soldiers.

It seems odd to say that the average American is shorter than the minimum height of Roman soldiers.

It is odd given the improved nutrition but given the large amounts of immigration for 3rd world places where, genetically people's height potential might be taller, but poor nutrition during childhood resulted in them growing less then their max potential. Roman actually had a very good transportation and trade system so goods (including food) got transported around the Med. fairly efficiently. I'm willing to bet that with the collapse of the Roman world and the shrinking of trade people actually got shorter due to the decreased availability of food due to lack of trade.

[Dinner]

I wish Hera was here so he could regal us with how taller people have higher IQ's and make more money (only we die sooner)

I honestly wouldn't be surprised to find that taller people do make more money due to reasons of social bias just as fat people make less money due to reasons of social bias.

[Al B. Sure!]

And the other thing with the average Roman soldier being in the 6'0" range was that when the Romans fought the Celts and Germans, they always recounted how the barbarians towered over the legionaries. So barbarian Germans and Celts were even taller!

[Barnabas]

My picture is in my profile.

You are much younger than I imagined

[Kitschum]

No point. I already know I have the biggest bicep circumference and the longest cumreference on Apolyton

Ah, but how quick is your tongue?

[Al B. Sure!]

You are much younger than I imagined

He's like 29 or something. I don't know why his profile is filled with lies.

Ben didn't catch the memo that bearing false witness is a sin.

[Ben Kenobi]

'

You are much younger than I imagined

Yep. Not the first time someone's said this.

[Ben Kenobi]

I don't know why his profile is filled with lies.

Oh pish tosh. Simply haven't bothered changing it.

Ben didn't catch the memo that bearing false witness is a sin.

If you know the truth than how is it false witness?

[Ben Kenobi]

It seems odd to say that the average American is shorter than the minimum height of Roman soldiers.

average male height!= average height

[Al B. Sure!]

average male height!= average height

?

5'9.5" is the average male height in the US; 5'10" was the minimum height for legionaries.

What is the relevance of your statement? Women have nothing to do with this.

Do you think there were FEMALE legionaries, Ben?

[Nikolai]

I think he meant the American numbers. But you of course already got that, just had to poke him a little, didn't you?