Erotic literature comprises fictional and factual stories and accounts of eros — passionate, romantic or sexual relationships — intended to arouse similar feelings in readers, [1] in contrast to erotica , which focuses more specifically on sexual feelings. Other common elements are satire and social criticism. Much erotic literature features erotic art , illustrating the text. Despite cultural disapproval of such material, circulation of erotic literature was not seen as a major problem before the invention of printing, as the costs of producing individual manuscripts limited distribution to a very small group of wealthy and literate readers. The invention of printing, in the 15th century, brought with it both a greater market and increasing restrictions, including censorship and legal restraints on publication on the grounds of obscenity. The oldest love poem ever found is Istanbul , [4] an erotic monologue written by a female speaker directed to king Shu-Sin.