Major Tannaim and Amoraim

70–600

Tannaim

Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai
Rabban Gamaliel I
Rabban Gamaliel II
R. Joshua
R. Ishmael
R. Akiva
R. Meir
R. Judah
R. Simeon bar Yoḥai
R. Judah the Prince
R. Ḥiyya
R. Ḥanina Avtalyon
Bar Kappara*
Eleazar bar Tsadok
Elisha ben Abuya
Hillel the Elder
R. Eleazar ben Azariah
R. Dosa ben Harkinas
R. Eliezer ben Jacob

Palestinian Amoraim

R. Abba bar Kahana
R. Joshua ben Levi
R. Yoḥanan
R. Simeon ben Lakish
R. Eleazar ben Pedat
R. Simlai
R. Abbahu
R. Ammi
R. Assi
R. Zera
R. Jeremiah
R. Abba bar Zemina
R. Aḥa bar Ḥanina
R. Aibu
R. Berekhiah

Babylonian Amoraim

Rav and Samuel
R. Huna
R. Ḥisda
R. Judah ben Ezekiel
R. Naḥman
R. Sheshet
Abaye
Amemar
Rava
R. Pappa
R. Ashi
Ravina
Mar bar R. Ashi
R. Abba
R. Aḥa bar Ada
R. Aḥa bar R. Huna

Notes

* Transitional figure from the period between the tannaim and amoraim.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.

In studying rabbinic texts, it is helpful to know when and where a particular rabbi lived and taught. The tannaitic period began with the destruction of the Second Temple at the hands of the Romans in 70 CE. This was the period of the rabbis of the Mishnah, the tannaitic (“halakhic”) midrashim, and the Tosefta. They lived in the land of Israel. Scholars debate whether this period came to a close in ca. 200 or closer to 220 CE. Upon the closing of the Mishnah, the amoraic period began. This was the time of the rabbis of the Palestinian and Babylonian Talmuds. Scholars also debate the end date for this period, placing it between 550 and 600 CE. To learn more about the ancient rabbis and their legacy, see Rabbinic Legacy.

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