Alexander the Great was short in stature

[TrueMacedonian]

http://www.pothos.org/content/index.php?page=body-and-height

So much for the imposter hellene "tall people" meaning of Macedonia which would fail the greatest Macedonian of all time.

[TrueMacedonian]

[TrueMacedonian]

In the Shadow of Olympus: The Emergence of Macedon By Eugene N. Borza

[Bij]

well this definitely puts a wrench in the idea that the name 'Macedonia' is Greek for 'the tall ones'.

Does this mean that Alexander was an anomaly amongst he Macedonians he fought with, or can we start looking at alternatives of the origin of the name? Do we have sources that describe the rest of the Macedonian army physically? Even just a general description?

Great find, TrueMacedonian.

[777Bitola]

I've heard he was 6 foot 1. But if he really was 5 7 kind of wierd, can't picture a man that great as only 5 7.

[Bij]

Napoleon was about 5'6

Churchill 5'7

Hitler was approx 5'8

This is all relative to what the average height at this time was. I do think (maybe someone can correct me on this) that average height is constantly evolving. Meaning that what is short to us now may well have been average in their own time period.

[TrueMacedonian]

Here's what the first posts link states in brief as to what the ancient sources said;

Arrian said he was somewhat less than average height, Curtius that he was not of impressive physique and/or stature. Existing art shows him to be muscular with good length of leg and somewhat stocky, so Curtius must be referring to his height. What was average height back then? Macedonians, who had access to grazing land, probably ate better and were likely taller than the Southern Greeks.

[The LION will ROAR]

The Average height of the Ancient Roman Army was 5"8...
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I have read, but not sure which book..? that it describes Alexander's appearance of having pinkish skin and a pleasant smell.. (odour) ...with flowing fare hair...
Hmmm another myth busted....quite the opposite of a Arab looking Greek...

[Carlin]

From 10 years ago