Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai
Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai was a student of Hillel the Elder. After the execution of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel he succeeded him as Nasi. Foreseeing the upcoming Roman destruction, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai founded the Yavneh academy a few years before the destruction of the Temple. During the siege on Yerushalaim, Rabbi Yochanan favored a peaceful resolution with the Romans but was held back by the Biryonim. Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Eliezer, his two main students managed to smuggle him out of the city, while feigning death, where he was able to meet up with Vespasian but was unsuccessful in saving the city.
Knowledge
Having been the lowest of Hillel's group of 80 leading students, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai's knowledge is given as an example to show the level of the remaining students and the stature of the Tanaim in general.
Kever Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai
Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai is buried in the city of Tiberias, near the Kevarim of the Shela and the Rambam. According to some opinions his students Rabbi Eliezer ben Hurkanus, Rabbi Shimon ben Nitanel and Rabbi Yossi HaKohen are buried next to him as well the Amaroim Rav Ami and Rav Asi.