The ancient trade route that facilitated the exchange of goods and culture between Europe and Asia is known as the Silk Road. Established during the Han Dynasty around the 2nd century BCE, the Silk Road was not a single road but rather a network of interconnected trade routes overland and maritime, stretching from China to the Mediterranean. It enabled the exchange of silk, spices, precious metals, and other commodities, along with cultural, technological, and religious ideas. The Silk Road played a pivotal role in shaping civilizations and fostering connections between diverse peoples, leading to significant cultural diffusion.