Throughout the period 200 BCE to 1450 CE, the Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes connecting the Western and Eastern Empires that were central to cultural diffusion through areas of the Asian continent. The Silk Road played an extremely important role in the growth of trade and the exchanging of culture, language, ideas, and religion. During this time period in Western Europe many changes took place, however the main purpose of the Silk Road stayed intact. In 200 BCE, Western Europe relied heavily on trade with Chinese merchants which supported the growth of both cultures. Over time, Western Europe and Asia became increasingly infatuated with the new luxuries exposed to them through the Silk Road, resulting in the shaping of each culture.…