Dur-Athara or Dur-Atkhara, more properly known as Dur-abi-hara, was an ancient city in Southern Babylonia. [1] Babylonian king Marduk-apla-iddina II (died 702) fortified the city as part of his war against Sargon II (722-705), [2] moving "the entire Gambulu tribe" (an Aramean people [1] ) into it. [3] He dug a canal from the nearby Surappu river, causing the entire area to flood, leaving the city in the position of an "artificial island". [4] Sargon's attack of Dur-Athara came in 710, [5] and according to Assyrian annals was completed in a single day. [6] Sargon plundered the city and deported 18,400 people from it, [7] after which Gambulu leaders offered tribute. [3] Sargon gave the city a new name, Dur-Nabu, and made it the capital of the province of Gambulu. [8]