During the Middle Ages the Mongols created the world's largest contiguous empire, controlling much of Asia, the Middle East, and far eastern Europe. The Mongol Empire was so large and powerful that its strength imposed what was later called the "Pax Mongolica", similar to the Roman Pax Romana ("pax" is Latin for "peace"). With no war inside the Mongol Empire; international trade and diplomacy along the Silk Road greatly expanded.