How tall were the Persians?

How Tall Were the Persians?

The Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire, was one of the largest and most powerful empires in ancient history. Founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE, the empire stretched from modern-day Iran to Egypt, Turkey, and parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan. But how tall were the Persians? Did they tower over their contemporaries or were they of average height?

Ancient Persian Stature

According to Herodotus, a Greek historian who wrote extensively about the Persians, the average height of a Persian man was around 5.8 feet (175 cm). This is significantly taller than the average height of ancient Greeks and Romans, who were generally around 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) or shorter.

Xerxes’ Height

One notable exception to this average height is Xerxes I, who ruled the Persian Empire from 486 to 465 BCE. According to Herodotus, Xerxes was 8 cubits, 6 palms, and 3 fingers tall, which is equivalent to around 15 feet 3 inches (4.7 meters). This makes him one of the tallest ancient rulers in history.

Other Ancient Empires’ Heights

To put the Persians’ height into perspective, here is a comparison with other ancient empires:

Germanic Tribes’ Height

The Germanic tribes, who lived in Northern Europe during the same period as the Persians, were generally taller than the Persians. According to archaeological evidence, the average height of a Germanic man was around 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), while women were around 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm).

Slavic Tribes’ Height

The Slavic tribes, who lived in Eastern Europe, were generally shorter than the Persians. According to archaeological evidence, the average height of a Slavic man was around 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm), while women were around 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Persians were generally around 5 feet 8 inches (175 cm) tall, with Xerxes I being an exception at around 15 feet 3 inches (4.7 meters) tall. This is significantly taller than many other ancient empires, including the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. The Germanic tribes, on the other hand, were generally taller, while the Slavic tribes were generally shorter.