The main role of the Silk Road in ancient trade was as a vast network of trade routes that connected the East and West, facilitating not only the exchange of goods but also cultural, technological, and ideological exchanges. It enabled the trade of silk, spices, precious metals, and other commodities between civilizations in China, India, Persia, and Europe. The Silk Road also played a crucial role in the diffusion of knowledge, religion, and technology, linking diverse cultures and contributing to global trade dynamics that laid the groundwork for future economic systems.