The ancient trade network connecting China with the Mediterranean is called the Silk Road. It was not one single road, but a changing collection of land and sea routes linking East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
The name refers to the valuable Chinese silk that traveled westward, especially during the Han dynasty. Merchants also exchanged horses, spices, precious metals, glass, textiles, paper, and many other goods. The routes crossed difficult terrain, including deserts, high mountain passes, and Central Asian oases.
The Silk Road carried more than merchandise. Religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Manichaeism spread along its networks, while technologies including papermaking and gunpowder eventually moved between regions. The modern term “Silk Road” was coined in the nineteenth century by German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen, long after the ancient routes had declined in importance.