Were the Germans physically superior?

[Justin of the New Yorkii]

But like you, I really don't think Germans or Goths or Caledonians were "superior" to Romans, especially Roman soldiers (even plain old Italian ones). If Romans were so physically inferior, how did they conquer a third of the known world? (They usually say "half of the known world," but I'm throwing China in there as one-third.) :wink:

Caesar mentioned that the German soldiers were usually taller than the Roman legionaries, but I don't know if taller necessarily means "superior." If you look the athletes who compete in Olympic fencing, most of them are of average height. Longer limbs can probably generate greater leverage, but a bigger body also means more exposed flesh.