Ma'arrat al-Nu'man is a city in northern Syria, located in the Idlib Governorate. It is situated in a fertile plain on the banks of the Orontes River, and is known for its ancient history and rich cultural heritage. The city has been inhabited since at least the 3rd millennium BC, and was once a major center of the Roman Empire. In the 7th century AD, Ma'arrat al-Nu'man was conquered by the Arabs, and became a major center of Islamic scholarship and culture. The city reached its peak during the 11th and 12th centuries, when it was home to a number of famous poets, scholars, and scientists. Today, Ma'arrat al-Nu'man is a thriving city with a population of over 100,000 people. It is an important agricultural center, and is also home to a number of historical and cultural attractions, including the Great Mosque of Ma'arrat al-Nu'man, the Church of St. Simeon Stylites, and the Ma'arrat al-Nu'man Museum.