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20.03.

235: Who was the Tallest among the Roman Emperors?

235: Who was the Tallest among the Roman Emperors?
Photo Credit To http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7634599386_925ed052a4_z.jpg

There are even claims that the emperor Maximinus Thrax was 260 cm tall. His thumb was reportedly so thick that he wore his wife’s bracelet on it as a ring.



 

On this day Maximinus Thrax – most likely the tallest person who ever ruled the Roman Empire – became the Roman Emperor. Namely, there are claims that the emperor Maximinus Thrax was 260 cm tall. This is probably an exaggerated figure, but nevertheless, according to most known sources, Maximinus was indeed far above average height.

 

There are also some claims that Maximinus was so big and strong that he could singlehandedly haul a loaded wagon. His thumb was reportedly so thick that he wore his wife’s bracelet as a ring on it. The statues depict Maximinus Thrax as a man with a prominent brow, nose, and jaw. From this, some made a conclusion that he may have had some sort of growth hormone disorders (the so-called acromegaly). Apparently he also sweated excessively.




 

An important fact is that Maximinus was the first Roman emperor who was once an ordinary soldier in the Roman army. Therefore, he was of lower origin than any emperor before him. In fact, some sources even call him a “barbarian”.  Exaggerated information about his appearance may have been meant to  tarnish his reputation among the Romans.

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