The main purpose of the Silk Road was to facilitate trade and cultural exchange between the East and West, linking civilizations such as China, India, Persia, and the Mediterranean. Established during the Han Dynasty around the 2nd century BCE, the Silk Road allowed for the exchange of a wide array of goods, including silk, spices, precious metals, and other commodities, boosting economies and enriching cultures. Additionally, the routes enabled the spread of ideas, technologies, religions (particularly Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam), and innovations such as papermaking and gunpowder. The Silk Road, thus, played a crucial role in shaping global interactions.