Texts

Vita Adae et Evae ‘Life of Adam and Eve’

  • Latin
  • prose
Latin version of a Jewish apocryphal life of Adam and Eve, often thought to be a translation of a Greek original. It proved to be a popular work in medieval Europe, as it is attested in over a hundred manuscripts and inspired a number of vernacular versions.
Manuscripts

This is not the place for a complete list of manuscripts, but some early copies are worth mentioning.

Recension P A longer recension which is in some ways nearer to the Greek Apocalypse of Moses.
Pr =
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS lat. 3832
Ma =
Milan, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, MS O 35 sup
ff. 95r–99v
Meyer's Class I and manuscripts from southern Germany and Austria
S =
ff. 37r–46r
rubric: ‘Incipit vita Adam et Aeuae’
Also incl. the Navigatio.
T =
Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, MS Clm 18525b
ff. 89–95
Also incl. the Navigatio (fragment).
M =
Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, MS Clm 19112
ff. 156r–163v
Ne =
ff. 224r–228v
Southern Germany/Austria. Also incl. the Navigatio.
Ad =
ff. 270ra–272vb
Appendix to Magnum legendarium Austriacum.
Z =
ff. 221va–223ra
Appendix to Magnum legendarium Austriacum.
Meyer's Class II
Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, MS Clm 21534
f. 101
Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, MS Clm 17151
f. 177
Other
Language
  • Latin
Provenance
Origin: EuropeEurope
Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.

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BritainBritain
Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.

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The origin and early history of the text are quite unknown. Pettorelli has suggested that it may have originated in Britain, pointing to the style and language of one of its earliest manuscripts (BNF lat. 5327), but further study is needed to establish the affinities of these early manuscripts.
Form
prose (primary)
Textual relationships
Related: Yr awdyl fraithYr awdyl fraith

Classification

Subjects

Adam and EveOld Testament narratives
Adam and Eve
id. 48270

Legends of Adam and Eve, from their creation and life in the garden of Eden to their expulsion and existence in exile.

Adam
Adam
No short description available

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Eve
Eve
No short description available

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Sources

Primary sources Text editions and/or modern translations – in whole or in part – along with publications containing additions and corrections, if known. Diplomatic editions, facsimiles and digital image reproductions of the manuscripts are not always listed here but may be found in entries for the relevant manuscripts. For historical purposes, early editions, transcriptions and translations are not excluded, even if their reliability does not meet modern standards.

[ed.] Pettorelli, Jean-Pierre, “La Vie latine d’Adam et d’Ève: la recension de Paris, BNF, lat. 3832”, ALMA: Bulletin du Cange 57 (1999): 5–52.
Based on a single manuscript.
[ed.] Pettorelli, Jean-Pierre, “La Vie latine d'Adam et Ève”, ALMA: Bulletin du Cange 56 (1998): 5–104.
[ed.] Mozley, J. H., “The ‘Vita Adae’”, Journal of Theological Studies 30 (1929): 121–149.
Based on manuscripts from England.
[ed.] Meyer, Wilhelm, “Vita Adae et Evae”, Abhandlungen der königlich bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Philosophische-philologische Klasse 14 (1878): 187–250.
Based on a selection of twelve manuscripts.
Contributors
C. A., Dennis Groenewegen
Page created
June 2020, last updated: June 2023