I have always missed an option to reduce the population of cities you already own. Of course, this would not be very kind - but (chistmas coming closer) this would not be something entirely new: Herodes certainly tried to reduce population growth too with his first-born order... .

No, I don't think you are a bad ruler. I think you are only taking your responsibility to keep the bags of quart hadast filled. If it calms your conscience (I also had to look this word up) think of your greedy merchants forcing you or your beloved wives and hetairois demanding new jewlery - it was not your decision after all...