* To extract confessions from suspects. Torture was seen as a way to get to the truth, even if it meant using painful or brutal methods. This was especially true in cases of witchcraft, heresy, and other crimes that were considered to be threats to the social order.
* To punish criminals. Torture was also used as a form of punishment for crimes that were seen as particularly heinous, such as murder, rape, and robbery. The severity of the torture was often determined by the seriousness of the crime.
* To deter crime. The threat of torture was also used as a way to deter people from committing crimes. The authorities hoped that by making the punishment for crime so severe, people would be less likely to engage in criminal behavior.
* To maintain social control. Torture was also used as a way to maintain social control and suppress dissent. By using torture to punish those who challenged the ruling order, the authorities hoped to keep the population in line and prevent rebellion.
However, the use of torture was not without its critics. Many people, including some philosophers and legal scholars, argued that torture was morally wrong and ineffective. They pointed out that torture could lead to false confessions and that it was often used to punish innocent people.
Over time, the use of torture declined in Germany and most other European countries. This was due in part to the growing influence of Enlightenment ideas, which emphasized the importance of human rights and individual liberty. By the end of the 18th century, torture was largely abolished in Germany and most other European countries.