When it comes to the Sun King’s actual height, accounts put Louis XIV’s height at 5 feet, 4 inches (1.63 m). Perhaps Louis felt the need to hide his diminutive stature as a monarch by always donning towering heels and a full wig. Royal artists had to find a happy medium between idealizing their subjects and making them seem likeable in order to please their patrons. That’s why Louis XIV’s stature shown in artwork may not correspond to his actual height.
Louis XIV gained 4.5″ from his heels and 6″ from his wigs.
They allegedly allowed Louis XIV to appear 6 feet 2 inches tall (1.88 m).
How Tall Was Louis XIV Compared to Others?
Let’s see how a height of 5 feet, 4 inches (163 cm) stacks up against the typical height of his contemporaries. According to records, the median male height in Europe dropped to its lowest point in the 17th century.
At the time, the typical Frenchman was little more than 162 centimeters (5 feet, 4 inches) tall. Therefore, Louis XIV’s height was rather standard for the era.
Height dropped from an average of 5’8″ (173 centimeters) in the early Middle Ages to a low of around 5’6″ (167 centimeters) in the 17th and 18th centuries. Louis XIV was around the same height as males in his own day and somewhat shorter than the typical man in the early Middle Ages.
At Douai in the War of Devolution in 1667, he was intentionally depicted as tall.
He was intentionally depicted as tall.” class=”wp-image-42469″ style=”aspect-ratio:1.280958721704394;object-fit:cover”/>Louis XIV’s full stature next to other people at Douai in the War of Devolution, 1667. He was intentionally depicted as tall.
According to other historians, Louis loved high heels not to make himself seem taller but because they were in style at the time. For the Palace of Versailles, Louis XIV was “above average for his time,” but it appears that the king was still below average in stature for a medieval man.
Louis XIV Wore High Heels to Appear Taller
The Sun King, Louis XIV, ruled France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His 72 years and 110 days in power are officially the longest in any monarch’s history. He played a huge role in the evolution of Western clothing. During his rule, haute couture (a high-end fashion design, as we know it now) emerged and he established France as a global leader in aesthetics.
Louis XIV wore high heels more than anybody else in history. Historiographers think he wore heels to give the impression of being taller. Some members of Louis’ court were given permission to wear red-soled heels beginning in the 1670s, when the king designated them a badge of honor. This trend became a symbol of prestige throughout his rule.
Wigs Also Helped Louis XIV Appear Taller
A barbershop in the Middle Ages.
Wigs were a prominent part of Louis XIV’s everyday style, and the ornate wigs used by Louis XIV were said to give him a noticeable height boost. At an early age, he saw his hair fading and engaged 48 wigmakers to help him with that. During his rule, wigs were a fashionable fashion item.
Shorter wigs, often five to six inches in height and worn with a curly toupee, were popular when Marie Scorailles entered Louis XIV’s court in 1690. This would have made Louis XIV much taller than he already was.
Apparently, Louis XIV’s wigs made him seem around 6 inches taller (15 cm). His wigs were gargantuan, with a full fringe of unruly hair framing the face and cascading in curls down the back and breast. Louis XIV’s hairstylist, Binet, created a wig for every event, and the king kept them all in a dedicated closet.
Together with Wigs and Heels Louis XIV Was 6’2″ in Height (1.88 m)
Louis XIV’s wigs were an integral element of his wardrobe; he used them to draw attention to himself and establish an air of superiority by appearing taller. Shoes with heels of 3–4.5 inches (8-11 cm) were also popularized by Louis XIV and worn by his courtiers in addition to wigs.
The 4.5 inches of height (11.5 cm) he obtained from his wooden heels, together with the 6 inches he gained from his wigs, created the appearance that Louis XIV was a 6 feet 2 inches tall man in height (1.88 m).
Women and courtiers wore wigs as well, although they were often larger, taller, and fancier than those worn by Louis XIV. Wigs were an extension of both aristocratic luxury and population need, with different styles denoting different economic, cultural, and social standings.
So, although it’s hard to say for sure how much height Louis XIV’s wigs and high heels contributed, it’s possible they made a huge difference for one of the sex addicts kings of France.
The Impact of His Fashion Choices
The decisions Louis XIV made in the realm of fashion were about more than simply his own sense of taste; they were also calculated economic moves. His astute minister of finance, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, once made the comparison that “fashions were to France what the mines of Peru were to Spain” in terms of their potential profits from both internal sales and exports. During Louis’ time in power, the garment and textile industries in Paris grew to employ around one-third of the working population.
Adolf Hitler is believed to be around 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall.
He appeared shorter in some photographs due to the taller stature of his generals and the Reichsführer-SS.
Hitler’s official records and photographs with Heinrich Himmler support his alleged heightfigure.
The exact height of Adolf Hitler is debated. However, Hitler was 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall, according to various sources. Still, eyewitnesses at the 1936 Summer Olympics believe that Hitler was around 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) tall, which was short even for the time. Photos from the 1938 Munich Conference, when four countries discussed Germany’s annexation of Sudetenland in advance of its invasion of Poland, show Hitler’s height around the same level as the other world leaders. However, considering how short Neville Chamberlain appears in the picture, the perspective is deceiving.
The below picture shows Hitler’s height next to other leaders:
1938 Munich Conference. Neville Chamberlain, Édouard Daladier, Adolf Hitler, and Benito Mussolini, from left to right. (Image: Derived from public domain)
Why Hitler Appeared Shorter in Pictures
Hitler was not a small individual at the time; he was of average height. So why did he occasionally appear shorter in photographs? Hitler looked dwarfed in images with his generals and the rest of the Reichsführer-SS because they were generally taller people. Even though Hitler was similar in height to Julius Caesar, Caesar’s Roman army usually consisted of individuals of average height, which is why he was never perceived as short as Alexander the Great, Joseph Stalin, or Napoleon Bonaparte.
The below photograph of Hitler with Heinrich Himmler attests to Hitler’s height as another solid piece of evidence. Himmler was the Reichsführer of the SS, and he stood 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) tall. In the picture, Himmler and Hitler are of comparable stature, but Hitler actually stands a bit taller, which again supports that his height was 5’9″ (175 cm). Taking into account the average height of Austrian soldiers in WWII, which was 5’8″ (1.73 m), Hitler’s height was perfectly normal for the time.
In the below photograph of Adolf Hitler with his Fields Marshals during the German attack on Britain, Hitler appears to be the same height as Hermann Göring, 5’10” (1.78 m), despite standing in front of him. This again supports the claims regarding his height.
Hitler next to Hermann Göring and his other Field Marshals. (Image: Public Domain, colorized)
Records from Landsberg Prison, where Hitler was imprisoned during the Beer Hall Putsch, also indicate this same height figure, with guards and those around him witnessing this measurement. Hitler was significantly shorter in comparison to his bodyguard Rochus Misch who stood at 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall.
Hitler and his bodyguard Rochus Misch.
In some pictures of Hitler with his partner Eva Braun, who stood at 5 ft 4.2 in (1.63 m), the height difference is less pronounced because she wore shoes with higher heels. But in other pictures, it is easy to see that Hitler was much taller.
Unlike Stalin, Hitler is not known for using platform shoes to appear taller. Stalin even did that during the signing of the Hitler-Stalin non-aggression pact. Because even though Stalin stood at 5’4″ (1.62 m), he was known to wear platform shoes to appear at least 4 inches (10 cm) taller, just like Vladimir Putin does today.
Standing at a height of 5 ft 9 in, Hitler maintained a healthy weight of 154 pounds (70 kg). He did not smoke, drank alcohol only on rare occasions, and was an ardent vegetarian. Hitler’s blood and urine tests, according to his doctor Theodor Morell, were often clean. Other than some mild colds, he generally had a robust immune system and a strong physicality due to his peasant family background. He also handled the stresses of warfare efficiently.
There are interesting stories about Hitler’s physical appearance; for example, it’s been reported that Hitler only had one testicle. Hitler was diagnosed with “right-side cryptorchidism,” a disorder in which a testicle fails to descend into the scrotum. This medical report originates from the time he was incarcerated after the failed Munich beer hall putsch in 1923.
Mussolini (5 ft 6.5 in) and Hitler (5 ft 9 in), August 1941. (Public Domain)
A Leader’s Height Does Matter
A leader’s physical traits, like height and weight, can shape a nation’s destiny. This is because it’s always hard to tell at first glance how smart or moral a leader is, but it’s usually easier to see how strong and powerful they are.
This is why symbols of authority, such as the crowns of European monarchs or the headdresses of Native American chiefs, not only signify wealth and power but also compensate for any perceived lack of height. An example of this is Louis XIV, who stood at only 5 feet 4 inches (1.62 m) tall but often wore high heels and a fluffy wig to enhance his image.
Mussolini (5 ft 6.5 in; 169 cm) and Hitler (5 ft 9 in; 175 cm), September 1937. (Public Domain)
While physical strength and power may be components of the ideal leader image, the reality is much more complex. Hitler was able to successfully overthrow the much taller Paul von Hindenburg (6’6″; 1.98 m) through his skill and strategy.
But Was He Tall Enough?
According to Hitler’s doctrines, the ideal males were those with tall stature, fair skin, blue eyes, and blond hair—the Aryan race. The irony, however, is that contrary to Hitler’s own image of an Aryan, he did not meet this criterion. He was not tall in stature or superior in physique, nor did he have blonde hair. But he had blue eyes, so he was “half-Aryan” at best.
Not only that, but Hitler was also not eligible to join the SS (Schutzstaffel) organization he created. Their height requirements varied annually. In 1937, SS applicants needed to be at least 6 feet (1.83 m) tall; by 1941, that requirement had been lowered to 5 feet, 9.3 inches (1.76 m).
Hitler, 1933. Image: U.S. Army.
It is ironic that a man cannot satisfy the rules he has set for all other people. But is there a point to this? After all, rule-makers like tyrants rarely obey their own rules, preferring instead to consider themselves above the law they’ve enacted.
Adolf Hitler is one of the most infamous leaders in world history. It’s easy to find all sorts of things to discuss about this man, and he’s the subject of more anecdotes than any other World War II leader. The question of his height has been a popular one, and we tried to answer that in this article.
How tall was Alexander the Great? One of the most well-known military commanders in history, Alexander the Great is revered for his many victories and the massive empire he established. One thing that has long baffled historians and researchers is how tall Alexander the Great really was. Fortunately, there are a number of accounts and estimations that make pinpointing this ancient leader’s actual stature easier than expected.
How Tall Was Alexander’s Father?
The armor of Alexander the Great’s father, Philip II of Macedon. (Image: Discover Greece)
For comparison, Alexander the Great’s father, Philip II of Macedon, is believed to have worn the armor on display in the Royal Macedonian Tombs in Vergina, Greece, which was found in the burial chamber of the king. It is believed that the armor is only a good fit for someone around 1.8 meters (5 feet, 11 inches) tall. This was first thought to be true based on his bones, and it makes Alexander’s father so much taller than the average man at the time.
Alexander the Great’s true height is a common subject of discussion. The destruction of his tomb in Alexandria and the subsequent loss of his remains, which would have provided irrefutable proof of his height, make this question harder to answer.
The ancient people who lived on the Mediterranean’s periphery were, on average, much shorter than people are now. People who ate more meat and fat were also often taller than those who didn’t. When the Romans first came across the Germanic peoples, they were astounded by the height of their men and women.
How Tall Was Alexander the Great?
According to historical records, Alexander the Great’s height was between 1.62 and 1.65 meters or 5’4″ and 5’5″. This conclusion is based on anthropological research from the modern day, historical occurrences of Alexander’s time, and the reports of ancient historians like Plutarch, who said Alexander was “less than average height” but “well built” (Plutarch, Alexander 4.3).
But how tall was the typical Greek or Macedonian during Alexander the Great’s day? According to anthropological examinations of ancient Greek skeletons, the average height of a male in the Classical period (510–323 BC) was 170 centimeters (or 5’7″). Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) lived during this period. The same figure was 172 centimeters, or 5’7.7″, for male Hellenistic-era ancient Greeks (323–32 BC).
Alexander the Great’s reconstructed Linothorax linen armor. (Photo: Mark A. Geranios, Mosaic: Public Domain)
Historian Peter Green depicts Alexander in Alexander of Macedon as being quite short, even by Macedonian standards. Alexander was definitely not taller than 5’7″ because historians initially got this value from analyzing his contemporary artwork. However, the majority of the Macedonians he fought alongside were well-nourished, robust, and probably taller than he was. This seems logical, considering that medieval knights’ armor was typically sized for males of around 65 inches in height.
The average height of soldiers enlisting in the French and English armies in the 1850s was still 5 feet 5 inches, and it was 5 feet 3 inches for the Italian army. According to Suetonius, Caligula plundered Alexander’s grave, taking the general’s armor. When Caligula attempted to wear Alexander’s armor, he failed because it was too small for his tall stature. Although Caligula (born in 12 AD) towered above the typical Roman, the Romans were notoriously short at the time. According to what has been unearthed thus far, a typical Roman male was roughly 5 feet 5 inches tall, and the soldiers were a bit taller.
Alexander the Great’s bronze relief. (Photo, Tilemahos Efthimiadis, CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Greeks of the North, like the Macedonians, probably stood a little taller and had more farmland at their disposal than their southern counterparts. And since Alexander was known to be physically fit and athletic, you may expect that this would have made him taller than the average person of his time. But this was not the case at all; in fact, he was shorter than the average Greek, but by how much?
Historical Accounts of Alexander the Great’s Height
Since authentic documents and measurements from the time period are lacking, it is impossible to ascertain Alexander the Great’s height. According to the accounts of the famous historians Diodorus, Arrian, and Curtius, his friend, the nobleman general Hephaestion, was taller than Alexander.
This fact comes from an encounter between Alexander the Great, Hephaestion, and the captured Persian royal family after the Battle of Issus (333 BC). Queen Sisygambis, a member of the royal Darius family, thought Hephaestion was King Alexander because Alexander himself was significantly shorter than Hephaestion.
Ancient Persian reliefs, such as that of Darius the Great at Behistun, show that the Persians have long taken pride in their height. The tale of Alexander the Great’s failed effort to sit on the throne of the Great King of Susa is commonly recounted as an example of his short stature. Rejoicing at the result and the surrender of Susa, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander stood on Darius III’s throne in March 324 BC, but his feet did not even touch the ground.
Queen Sisygambis mistakes Hephaestion for Alexander since he is the shorter one. Hephaestion points out Alexander. (The family of Darius in front of Alexander by Justus Sustermans). (Image: CC0)
A servant placed a stool under Alexander’s feet to maintain his dignity. This caused a reaction from one of Darius III’s former servants, as the stool was intended for Darius III. General Philotas went on to point out that Alexander’s use of the stool symbolized his victory over the previous Persian ruler. This incident is widely acknowledged in various Alexander biographies, including Philip Freeman‘s Alexander the Great, page 195.
If the story about this occurrence is to be believed, Alexander was shorter than the average ancient Persian ruler of the period. But the ancient Persians were not sea people like Greeks, Romans, or Egyptians, and on average they were taller than other nations.
Conclusion Regarding Alexander the Great’s Height
A 15th-century manuscript depicts Darius’ murder and Alexander’s presence at the dying king with his short stature.
Alexander the Great was probably between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 5 inches tall, (1.62 and 1.65 meters), which would have put him below the average height for his time, just as Plutarch said.
Alexander the Great had a significant influence on world history, regardless of how tall he was. His military successes paved the way for the global dissemination of Greek civilization. The fact that sculptures and other works of art depict Alexander as a larger-than-life figure contributes to his legendary status.
FAQ
How Tall Were the Ancient Athenians?
According to anthropological examinations of ancient Greek skeletons, the average height of a male in the Classical period (510–323 BC) was 170 centimeters (or 5’7″). Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) lived during this period. The same figure was 172 centimeters, or 5’7.7″, for male Hellenistic-era ancient Greeks (323–32 BC).
Was Alexander 5 Feet Tall?
Alexander the Great’s father, Philip II of Macedon, was 5 feet, 11 inches tall, and the average height for men was 5’7″. Since Alexander was only “less than average height,” according to Plutarch, he was definitely not 5 feet tall.
What Is the Height of the Alexander?
According to historical records, Alexander the Great’s height was most likely between 5’4″ and 5’5″ (1.62 and 1.65 meters).
How Big is Alexander the Great?
According to Plutarch, Alexander was “well built,” but his height was probably around 5’4″ and 5’5″ (1.62 and 1.65 meters). So, Alexander the Great was most likely average in size when it came to how big he was.
Genghis Khan’s exact height is unknown, but estimates range from 5’6″ to 5’8″.
Genghis Khan’s family, the Borjigin clan, was known for producing tall individuals with striking features.
Genghis Khan imposed a ban on creating images of himself during his lifetime.
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How tall was Genghis Khan? Genghis Khan, the first emperor of the Mongol Empire, is a focal figure in global history. That is why the height of the emperor is also a topic of debate. The exact height of Genghis Khan was never recorded. Despite that, several historians place his height between 5’6″ and 5’8″ (1.68 and 1.73 m). Even though a clear answer to this question is elusive due to lack of hard facts, there are some convincing points, and clues regarding the Great Khan’s height.
Historical Records on How Tall Genghis Khan Was
The statue of Genghis Khan at the Government Palace in Ulan Bator. Image: Abhijit Chavda-YouTube.
Even though Genghis Khan’s actual height is unknown, Genghis is actually described as “tall” in contemporary Chinese documents. The truth is, people in Mongolia come in various shapes and sizes, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that some of the world’s tallest men today also call this nation home.
However, considering the diminutive size of Mongolian horses, Genghis Khan probably wasn’t too tall either. The Mongols’ success was largely due to the size of their horses. The native Mongolian horses that Genghis Khan’s army rode into battle on were small, but powerful. Their horses were between 12 and 14 hands in height (48–56 inches, 122–142 cm).
On the other hand, the European riding horses are bigger, standing 16–18 hands (64–72 inches, 163–183 cm). For comparison, the average height of a British male citizen during Genghis Khan’s time was around 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m), as the skeletal evidence suggests.
Many Mongols get their impressive strength by participating in archery and wrestling, two of their ancient activities. Genghis Khan’s siblings were outstanding wrestlers, and he thus inherited their power.
When put in perspective, the typical height of a man in China has increased from 5’3″ to 5’7″ (160 to 170 cm) just during the 19th century. Since Temujin (Genghis Khan) was simply described as “tall” by the Chinese, it is also possible that he stood at a height in the range of 5’7″ to 5’9″ (170–175 cm).
However, these are just estimations, and they cannot be absolutely precise. It is impossible to estimate Genghis Khan’s height with certainty because of the lack of reliable documents and measurements from the time period.
The Impact of Genghis Khan’s Origin on His Height
Battle between Mongols & Chinese (1430). Jami’ al-tawarikh, Rashid al-Din.
The Russian historian Lev Gumilyov (1912–1992) asserts that the warriors of Genghis Khan’s army were predominantly tall, fair-haired individuals with blue or green eyes. This is also supported by the frescoes found in Manchuria.
Genghis Khan himself belonged to the ancient Borjigin family, which translates to “blue-eyed” and was known for producing tall, robust individuals with reddish blonde hair and striking blue or green eyes.
Additionally, men of the Borjigin clan were known for their long beards and wide foreheads. This description is also echoed in the works of Persian scientist and physician Rashid al-Din (“A Compendium of Chronicles“) and Italian traveler Marco Polo, who both depict Genghis Khan as a European-like figure.
The Avars, a group of migrant warriors from Mongolia, were known for their large physiques. This is evidenced in both Russian and Frankish chronicles, which describe the Avars as formidable opponents on the battlefield.
A Turco-Mongol or Tatar king is depicted in Russian epics as a towering figure with the head of a beer kettle, the eyes of a beer bowl, and broad shoulders spanning the length of an “oblique sazhen” — roughly 2.5 meters (8.2 feet).
He is also described as having a body like a haystack. Overall, this Tatar king is portrayed as a giant of a man, with a huge frame and striking features. Because of Genghis Khan’s massive frame, other populations naturally feared the Mongols.
The Truth About the Chinese Sources Regarding Genghis Khan’s Height
Genghis Khan’s 40-meter (130 ft) tall statue in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. (François Philipp, CC BY 2.0)
Genghis Khan, the Great Mongol, was renowned as the greatest warrior, so it stands to reason that he was also a formidable and imposing physical man with a well-developed chest and powerful arms. And just like today, most Chinese men during Genghis Khan’s reign favored a slimmer physique.
Genghis Khan’s physical size definitely left a positive impression on Chinese historians, since their records portray Genghis as tall and stocky. For the Chinese, to look at Genghis was to see a prototypical Mongol wrestler.
The Chinese frequently claimed that the Mongols were godlike in stature and appeared massive. This, of course, includes how tall Genghis Khan was. This makes sense, considering the Mongols’ penchant for large stature due to their diet and a lot of fighting.
And back in Genghis Khan’s day, almost every Mongol was a wrestler. Given their fondness for red meat, it should come as no surprise that Mongol wrestlers tended to be more muscular than most other people.
Arguments for Genghis Khan’s Height
Genghis Khan in the movie Mongol.
Some historians contend that Genghis Khan was likely taller than believed. They reference paintings and monuments of Genghis Khan that portray him as a towering presence. But Genghis Khan may have stood tall in his own right since many of the Mongol troops in his army were said to be quite tall. For instance, in the Chinese records, Mongols are described as very tall troops.
These days, a typical Mongol stands between 160 and 180 centimeters (63 and 71 inches) tall. However, this doesn’t mean much since the average height of people in a nation can increase or decrease a lot in relatively short periods of time.
For example, the skeletal evidence suggests that the average height of Englishmen increased from 167 centimeters to 170 centimeters (about 5 feet 5 inches) during the Roman colonization of Britain (200–410 AD). And the Norman invasion in 1066 also coincided with a rebound in the average height of British males.
Average heights had risen to 172 (67.7 inches) centimeters by the end of the early medieval period; by the 1100s, they had risen to 173 centimeters (68.1 inches), approaching the heights attained at the turn of the twentieth century.
On the other hand, scholars who believe Genghis Khan was shorter than traditionally thought point out that Genghis was a nomadic warrior and that a lower height could have been more advantageous for horseback riding and other tasks for people like Genghis.
Even if Genghis Khan was tall for his people, he probably would have been shorter than many world leaders of the time since the average Mongolian man of his era was about 5 feet, 4 inches (162 cm) tall.
How Tall Were Mongol Warriors?
The appearance of Mongol warriors from the Genghis Khan: Conquest & Culture exhibit. (Andrea Olson, EastIdahoNews)
Historians frequently describe the Mongol warriors of Genghis Khan’s army as predominantly tall. Today, the average height of men in Mongolia is 170 centimeters (5’7″).
Given the recentness of the Mongol invasions and their still similar lifestyle, the Mongols’ height and physicality are likely to have remained similar since Genghis Khan. According to that, most Mongol warriors at the time could be taller than 1.75 meters (5′9″), if not close to 1.80 meters (5′11″).
Nutrition, lifestyle, and selection all have a role in growth. Frankish peasants, who seldom ate meat, were around 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) shorter than their feudal rulers throughout the early Middle Ages.
Because of their meat-based diet, the Mongols were expected to be physically larger than European nobility at the time. The Mongols’ bigger torsos would have made them seem towering to their foreign adversaries. Plus, their hefty frames and strong limbs make up for their lack of height.
How Tall is Genghis Khan’s Statue?
A 130-foot (40-meter) stainless-steel monument of Genghis Khan and his horse dominates the Mongolian steppe. The horse’s head has a walkable deck. (CC0 Image by Unsplash)
The Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue is a massive sculpture made of stainless steel that stands 130 feet tall and shows the great ruler riding a horse. This monument has the title of being the highest equestrian statue in the whole world.
It is perched atop a hill at a site named Tsonjin Boldog, barely 54 kilometers (33 miles) from Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, where it is said that Genghis Khan discovered a whip. The discovery of the whips was a sign of impending power, wealth, and achievement. The height of the tourist center alone is 10 meters (33 feet).
Why Are Mongolian Horses Short in Height?
It’s possible that smaller horse breeds evolved as a result of having to adapt to harsher natural temperatures and fewer nutrition sources, which is why the Mongolian horse is shorter in height than many other breeds. Despite being a small horse with a short and huge neck, the Mongolian horse has exceptionally developed forequarters.
Their hips and shoulders are broad, their backs are short, and their legs are robust. Mongol horses became excellent warhorses because of their fortitude, stamina, and ability to forage for themselves. The Mongol horse’s slowness in comparison to other breeds it encountered in battle was its worst shortcoming as a military horse.
Why Are Asians Shorter Than Western People?
Those of Asian heritage tend to be shorter in stature than the average person. This is because, during the previous ice age, people in Asia benefited from maintaining their core body temperature by having a smaller, more compact body shape. The dietary habits of Asian culture also contribute to the height gap, since they usually consist of less dairy and protein than Western diets.
When East Asians take the same quantity of calcium as their Western counterparts, they tend to be of similar height. While Asians are becoming taller, Americans are shrinking today. Individuals from more prosperous socioeconomic situations tend to be taller simply because they have greater access to nutritious food.
Surprisingly little is known about Genghis Kahn’s life or appearance. There are no surviving pictures or sculptures of him from his time period. However, Genghis Khan’s Mongol warriors were mostly tall, fair-haired men with blue or green eyes.
Genghis Khan was a member of the Borjigin family, which is translated as “blue-eyed” and was known for producing strong, tall individuals with reddish blonde hair and blue or green eyes.
When it comes to Genghis Khan, the reports paint a picture of a towering, powerful man with a big, bushy beard and a thick, flowing mane of hair. 14th-century Persian historian Rashid al-Din reported that Genghis had red hair and green eyes.
Despite the fact that Al-Din never actually met the Khan, it is possible that members of the ethnically diverse Mongol people may have such stunning traits.
Why Was Genghis Never Portrayed?
Genghis Khan’s official portrait, painted after his death under the supervision of his grandson Kublai Khan. (Image)
Genghis Khan, the chief of the Mongols, imposed a strict ban on the production of any artwork that depicted his image, including statues and coins. However, after his passing, the first representations of him were released.
Only Kublai Khan, Genghis Khan’s grandson, who had spent 12 years in close proximity to him, was able to paint a portrait of the legendary leader. The artist was closely supervised by Genghis Khan himself as he created the painting. The portrait, which dates back to 1278, was later colored in the 14th century.
Conclusion
The historical sources are not particularly reliable, and it is difficult to conclude how tall Genghis Khan was. But most sources agree that Genghis Khan was between 5’6″ and 5’8″ (168 cm and 173 cm). Despite his diminutive height, Genghis Khan was one of history’s most influential leaders due to the powerful Mongol Empire he founded and expanded to enormous size, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death.
When it came to his “height,” Genghis Khan was unquestionably a “towering” figure who had a significant impact on the world as it is now, regardless of how tall he really was. With his leadership and military skills, Genghis Khan was a key part of the Mongol Empire’s growth both in Asia and Europe.
