Pastime | Episode
Pastime

AWA414 - Did legionaries need to be 1.80 metres tall?

Ancient Warfare Podcast | Jun 19 2026 | 00:14:08

Carlos writes: "Hi Murray, Even though I've been an AWM subscriber for long, I only recently started listening to the podcast. I love the AWA episodes, and the regular group podcasts too.   I have a two-part question for AWA. First, I have read in various places that there were certain requirements to be admitted as a legionary in the Army of the Principate. For example, I've read in a popular magazine (not AWM!) that legionaries needed to be at least 1.80 m tall. This sounds difficult to believe. I have also often read that all legionaries needed to be able to read and write. This sounds more believable as a declaration of intentions, but it seems unlikely that it could actually be enforced. What were the actual requirements, other than being a Roman citizen, in the Principate?"   Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast