I ways find it slightly disconcerting how people idolise Spartans. I mean. They do so in English - which is derived from Latin, not Greek.
Because the Spartans lost their battle with the Romans and got integrated into the Roman empire. It might have helped if they'd treated the Helots and others a little better. But probably not. The Romans had technology (relatively speaking), Tactics and numbers on their side. The Spartans found out the being a hard, tough person is less help than being a metallurgist, military strategist or politician. Clever gets you through "not tough" better than "Tough" gets you through "Not clever".
Just watch out the rampaging mob of theoretical physicists who've just worked out that the one thing they really can't stand is a smart-asp.
(honestly, I can't say "Bottom" now?)