In the 3rd century BC, a civilization belt gradually took shape across the Eurasian Continent. In the following several centuries, two powerful empires ruled the whole continent — the Qin-Han Empire in East and the Roman Empire in West. In the same historical period, the two different nations created equally brilliant civilizations in different regions. The Silk Road pioneered in the 2nd century BC became a passage linking the two great empires on each end of the continent. In the 3rd century BC, a civilization belt gradually took shape across the Eurasian Continent. In the following several centuries, two powerful empires ruled the whole continent - the Qin-Han Empire in East and the Roman Empire in West. In the same historical period , the two different nations created as brilliant civilizations in different regions. The Silk Road pioneered in the 2nd century BC became a passage linking the two great empires on each end of the continent.