AWIA, RAB or IWIA:
Babylonian amora of the fourth generation (fourth century), contemporary of Abaye and Raba (Ber. 28b; Shab. 46a), and brother-in-law of Rammi b. Pappa (B. B. 100b; Ket. 56b; compare "Aruch Completum," vii. 277, s.v. 
). He was a disciple of R. Joseph, and very strict in ritual observances. An example of his extreme scrupulousness is given in Ber. 28b; and an instance of Awia's readiness in halakic argumentation is quoted in Shab. 46a. He once visited Raba's school with dust on his shoes. The master intended to punish him for his breach of etiquette by propounding puzzling questions to him that he hoped Awia would be unable to answer. Awia, however, stood the test and came forth victorious. The audience sympathized with Awia, and Naḥman b. Isaac exclaimed: "Thanked be the Lord, that Raba did not succeed in putting Awia to shame" (Shab. 22a, 23a, 46b, 63a; Beẓah 13b; Sanh. 14a; Men. 78a; 'Ar. 11b; Ex. R. i. 11).
