ADULTERY, the sexual intercourse of a married person with another than the offender's husband or wife (from Lat. adulterium). Among the Greeks, and in the earlier period of Roman law, it was not adultery unless a married woman was the offender. The foundation of the later Roman law with regard to adultery was the lex Julia de adulteriis coercendis passed by Augustus about 17 B.C. (See Dig. 48. 5; Paull. Rec. Sent. ii. 26 Brisson, Ad Leg. Jul. de Adult.) (See DIVORCE.)