13th–14th centuriesReputable sourceWell documented
The Pax Mongolica
On the timeline · around 13th–14th centuries ·
What happened
When the Mongol Empire conquered most of Eurasia in the 13th century, it united the Silk Road under a single authority for the first time. The resulting 'Mongol Peace' made travel across the continent safer than ever, and trade, travelers, and ideas flowed freely from China to the Mediterranean.
Why it matters
The Pax Mongolica was the golden age of Silk Road travel, connecting East and West as never before. It made possible the famous journeys — like Marco Polo's — that gave Europe its first detailed knowledge of Asia.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Mongol Empire · Reputable source
Related timelines
- The Mongol Empire → — The Mongol peace that made Eurasia one