As far back as history is recorded.
The same State methods apply.
It's just the tactics that differ through the Centuries.
The noble and kings forged and pressed the coins and the poor abided by the rules.
One had to pay taxes to the "man" on the coin.
Be it Caesar of Prince Charming.

Taxes were wrung out of you no matter what.
If you could not pay you were taken away.
Your farmstead was plundered.
Your livestock was slaughtered.
Your wife was raped and sometimes murdered, if she resisted.
Your children were orphaned or enslaved.

Highwaymen were the order of the day
The poor robbed the noble.
The vicious wheel or circle had no beginning or end.
The soldiers and police were appointed by the State.
They acted on instructions from the State.
They also thieved as taxmen and servants of the crown.

Clergy had their own noble agenda.
They would recruit members for their parishes.
They would then command them to pay over 10% of their wealth in the form of taxes, agricultural goods or livestock.
While the men were at war, the clergy would comfort the women in many ways.
The Bible and the Crown or State ruled supreme.
Nothing has changed over all these years.
Now we pay 45% taxes and 10% church membership fees.

Kill or be killed for your king and country.
Rob and rape as a form of power over your enemy.
Many bastards walked the face of this planet.
Yes, many faceless bastards with a vengeance for greed.
Apart from all of the above being kak....
Most of it is actually true.