This is quite an interesting article, but it may expose some weaknesses in Stoic thinking.
First, it is hard to endorse a society so scanty of art, science, beauty, and grace as apparently characterized the Spartans. It is good to be tough, but it is not good to find your goal in toughness. Toughness needs to be put to use in making the conditions of human life better.
Second, Sparta apparently did not thrive or expand, so I think it is likely that the society was repulsive in some ways. It is in the nature of man to admire and try to emulate what is good for man, but there seem to have been few emulators with a lot of people paying lip service to this militaristic state.
Third, the society itself compelled its young men to lead this arduous life. What good is “virtue” that has to be compelled? Not much good.
Fourth, one wonders about the nutritional aspects of this regime. A healthy man usually requires protein rather than just grains and a few nibbles of vegetables. I would imagine that the Spartans were tough but probably malnourished and short of stature.
