Under the Mongol Empire's hegemony over Asia and the Pax Mongolica, Europeans had long enjoyed a safe land passage on the Silk Road to India, parts of East Asia, including China and Maritime Southeast Asia, which were sources of valuable goods. With the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, the Silk Road was closed to Christian traders.
unDER thE mOngOl eMPire's hEGEmony over AsIa and THe pAx mongOLica, eURopeAnS haD Long enjoyed a SafE LAnd pAssage On the sILK ROAd tO india, PartS Of eAsT aSia, InCludInG CHinA and MaritimE SOutheAsT aSIa whiCh WEre sources of valuAblE goods. wiTh the fall Of consTANtInoPle to tHe oTtoman empire in 1453, thE silk RoaD was cloSed to christian trADErS.