Mind-Benders of Jewish History
Rabbi Akiva was already alive when Vesuvius buried Pompeii
When Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the Roman city of Pompeii in 79 CE, a man in the Land of Israel who would go on to help shape the Mishnah — Rabbi Akiva — was already grown.
How we know
Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii in 79 CE. Many historians date Rabbi Akiva c. 50–135 CE (about 29 in 79 CE); the tradition that he lived 120 years (Sifrei Devarim 357) puts his birth c. 15 CE (about 64). Either way he was an adult when Pompeii was buried.
One of many fact-checked wonders across eight traditions at The Spring of Wisdom.