The empire known for its rich trade routes across Asia and Europe was the Silk Road, primarily associated with the Mongol Empire and the later empires that rose in Central Asia. The Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas from the 2nd century BCE until the 14th century. It connected the East, particularly China, with the West, including Europe and the Middle East. This trade network played a crucial role in economic and cultural interactions, helping to spread innovations such as the compass, paper, and gunpowder, as well as religions like Buddhism and Islam.