Explanation: The Germanic tribes and Romans both regarded the Roman people as generally the shorter of the two. Roman Emperor Maximinus Thrax, born in Thrace, was extremely tall, and was noted to regard victories as won in part by 'his own hand' despite his command over the Legions. As a contemporary noted:
He was in any case a man of such frightening appearance and colossal size that there is no obvious comparison to be drawn with any of the best-trained Greek athletes or warrior elite of the barbarians.
He wasn't a very good Emperor, but I wouldn't want to come face-to-face with him on the battlefield!
