That does sound like yet another history lesson on what happens when a government (in this case, a monarchy) exercises complete control over the people.
Years and years ago, I visited Chichen Itza which is an ancient Mayan city in the Yucatan. Back then, there were theories that since then have been changed, as your post shows. For example, when our guide showed us the above-ground well, he said it was believed that young virgins (girls) were sacrificed to the god(s) there, but that they found only (or mostly) the remains of young boys there. So, their new theory was that the "kings" were keeping the young girls hidden for themselves, and then dressing up boys as girls and sacrificing them in front of the crowd.
Well, recently, I read a newer theory that young men were sacrificed willingly and considered it an honor.
But I think what you described makes more sense: Maintaining a reign of terror is how dictators keep the masses under their control.