2. ROMAN. Adulterium properly signifies, in the Roman law, the offence committed by a man, married or unmarried, having sexual intercourse with another man's wife. Stuprum (called by the Greeks fqorav) signifies the commerce with a widow or a virgin. It was the condition of the female which determined the legal character of adultery; there was no adultery unless the female was married. It is stated, however (Dig.48 tit.5 s13), that a woman might commit adultery whether she was "justa uxor sive injusta," the meaning of which is not quite certain; but probably it means whether she was living in a marriage recognised as a marriage by the Roman law or merely by the jus gentium. The male who committed adultery was adulter, the female was adultera. The Latin writers were puzzled about the etymology of the word adulterium; but if we look to its various significations besides that of illegal sexual commerce, we may safely refer it to the same root as that which appears in adultus. The notion is that of "growing to," "fixing," or "fastening to," one thing on another and extraneous thing: hence, among other meanings, the Romans used adulterium and adulteratio as we use the word "adulteration," to express the corrupting of a thing by mixing something with it of less value.
Constantine
• Ends persecution, gives aid to built Christian churches • Battle of Milvian Bridge - 312 • Use of cross on shields- • In Hoc Signo vinces dream
Christian influence
•Edit of Milan 313 • Restore confiscated property and titles to Christians • Men could not keep concubine • Make divorce more difficult • Ends gladiatorial games and crucifixion • Improves treatment of slaves