The historical empire known for its minimal involvement in European affairs is the Mongol Empire. At its height in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Mongols established the largest contiguous land empire in history, stretching from Eastern Europe to East Asia. While primarily focused on conquest and trade across Asia, the Mongols largely refrained from interfering in European politics directly. Their trade routes established the Silk Road, fostering cultural exchanges between the East and West, which indirectly influenced Europe but left European affairs largely untouched until the eventual decline of the empire.