Adrian Stähli traces the visual language of the satyr-maenad motif from its beginnings in the 6th century BC to its peak during the Hellenistic period. He interprets the erotic groups within their cultural context, providing a comprehensive overview of the genre. The so-called erotic groups are among the characteristic and relatively well-documented creations of sculpture from the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. Nevertheless, archaeological research has found it challenging to engage with these works: the subject was apparently considered offensive, and many pieces, despite their high quality, were relegated to museum storage. The author explores why the depiction of sexual acts became a topic in sculpture at a time characterized by a restrictive sexual morality. He examines the extensive reorientation of the entire field.