The Silk Road, a network of trade routes connecting the East and West, is primarily associated with the Yuan Dynasty of China, which flourished in the 13th and 14th centuries under the Mongol Empire. Although the Silk Road existed long before the Yuan Dynasty, this period saw increased trade and cultural exchange due to the Mongols' relatively stable rule. The routes facilitated the exchange of goods such as silk, spices, and precious metals, as well as ideas, technologies, and religions between Asia and Europe. The influence of the Silk Road lasted for centuries and played a key role in shaping the civilizations that interacted through its networks.