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Adam, the Serpent, and Eve

Adam, the Serpent, and Eve, circa 12th-14th centuries C.E. Entrance to Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris.

The legend of Lilith, Adam’s first wife, was popular in Medieval and Renaissance Europe. In the legend, Lilith is Adam's first wife, created at the same time and from the same clay as Adam as in Gen 1:27.  After she refused to be subservient, Eve was created from one of Adam's ribs in Gen 2:22. Lilith returns as a serpent and gives Eve the apple from the Tree of Knowledge.

Although this story is not in the Bible, the legend of Lilith was so popular that her image was worked into many artworks including the Sistine Chapel and Notre Dame Cathedral. This relief shows Eve passing the apple to Adam after having been given the fruit by Lilith. This vignette is the base of a full sculpture of the Virgin Mary on the left side of the West Façade of Notre Dame. 

Adam, the Serpent, and Eve, circa 12th-14th centuries C.E. Entrance to Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris.

Of or relating to the Middle Ages, generally from the fifth century to the fifteenth century C.E. and overlapping somewhat with late antiquity.

Gen 1:27

27So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Gen 2:22

22And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.

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