system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Vampires] Shouldn't older/ancient vampires be much shorter than the average human today?
gpt
Depends entirely on the type of vampire.

Many have transformation properties switching between an incognito human form and a more beastly vampire form. This could allow them some leeway with adjustments to their human form.

Otherwise, vampires *tend* to fall into one of two camps. Peak human form, or gaunt monsters. The former are beautiful, well-toned and impressively built, rivalling many natural humans in physique and even coming across as quite tall and slender in many instances. Depending on how ancient the vampire in this form (and if they remain the same size), these vampires may just appear of average height in modern times.

For reference, taller Greek warriors around 500BCE were said to be between 5'6 and 5'9. A vampire around 5'9 or even looming over at 6'0 would be considered fairly average in modern times, if not still slightly on the taller side. They wouldn't be considered massive, but decently tall (also depending on gender).

Going by the gaunt monster form, they're even more likely to be taller by our standards. These ones are more grotesque and lanky, being obviously larger than their human prey. I'd expect them to be several inches taller as blending in is less of a factor, and overpowering (and or intimidating) prey is going to be the focus. A monstrous vampire around 6'7, an average of a whole foot taller in Peloponnesian Greek times, would still be considered quite tall today (but would likely adjust over time to maintain the scale contrast, appearing more like Master Chief's 7ft or taller in modern times).