Adamites, a sect of the second century, who held that the merits of Christ restored them to Adamic innocence. Consequently, they appeared naked in their assemblies, and rejected marriage. They soon disappeared, but were revived in the 12th century by Tanchelin at Antwerp, who taught that fornication and adultery were meritorious, and indulged in the most disgusting brutalities in open day. One Picard also revived the sect in Germany at the beginning of the 15th century. It took root in Bohemia, where, in spite of many persecutions, it has from time to time reappeared.