Beatings are some of the most common as well as the easiest forms of torture that has been used in history. This form has been used since the beginning of time as it can be very productive and not require special equipment.
When one thinks of torture, images of the rack and other dungeon torture pieces of equipment come to mind. Those instruments were used, but plain old beatings have out lasted all modes of torture down through the years.
Torture has generally been used for political motives, wartime actions, religious purposes, and revenge. Beatings as a form of torture was done with ones hands or with another object yielded by those same hands. It is the goal of beating the body to get what one desired.
Reports of beating have been seen in history since history was recorded. Politically, beatings might have been given as a warning to vote a particular direction or pass certain laws. Beatings were used mainly as a means of delivering a message which typically was received loud and clear.
Politically, beatings could also be just because someone was angry and not because of a specific desire to inflict torture. This happened more than you would think between those that ran countries. One particular example was between two United States congressmen in the early 1800s by the name of Preston Brooks and Charles Sumner. In this incident, tempers got out of control. Torture was not the intent.
During war, beatings could occur as punishment to those captured or used as torture to extract information. This was a common practice to use fists, pipes, pieces of wood, or any other object to inflict pain on a person. The goal was to reach the personís breaking point where they would give up their country, their leaders, and even their own family to save their lives. Important information has been obtained during war by the use of beatings used as a method of torture.
During severe religious persecutions, beatings could be found but most that inflicted the pain preferred more creative and painful ways. Beatings would have been reserved for instances when torture had to be inflicted quickly and at any time.
As a form of torture, beating someone up has been the most common method used throughout history. It is one of the oldest forms still used today. Many reports have been found in every country in the world of prisoners being beaten as a form of punishment or to retrieve information. It is one of the least creative methods, but historically it has proven itself to work.