The primary purpose of the Silk Road in ancient times was to facilitate trade and cultural exchange between the East and West. Established during the Han Dynasty in the 2nd century BCE, the Silk Road connected China to various regions, including Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Through this network of routes, goods such as silk, spices, precious metals, and textiles were exchanged. Beyond trade, the Silk Road enabled the flow of ideas, religions, and technologies, impacting the societies connected by these routes. Its legacy is foundational in understanding the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations.