Tall Flower Syndrome

Some time around the 7th century BC, a tyrant called Periander just took over a city after a lengthy war.

He sent a messenger to his ally, Thrasybulus, asking for advice on ruling. Without saying a word, Thrasybulus takes the messenger out to the garden and starts cutting off the tops of the taller ears of corns and poppies by swinging his stick.

Periander started a pre-emptive death order on anyone that stood out of the crowd and seemed like they could one day challenge his power.