Person

Rabbi Akiva

c. 50–135 · 2nd century · Also known as Akiva ben Joseph, Rabbi Akiba

Rabbi Akiva (Akiva ben Joseph) was one of the leading Jewish sages of the early 2nd century CE, whose systematic teaching of oral law laid foundations for the Mishnah. Rabbinic tradition says he hailed Simon bar Kokhba as the Messiah. He was executed by the Romans around 135 CE for continuing to teach the Torah, and is remembered as a martyr.

Rabbi Akiva
Image: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Mentioned in 1 state history

Bar Kokhba state

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Rabbi Akiva. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/rabbi-akiva
MLA
“Rabbi Akiva.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/rabbi-akiva. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Rabbi Akiva.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/rabbi-akiva.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Rabbi Akiva’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/rabbi-akiva (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻