The term 'Han' represents the majority of the Chinese population now, which shows how important the Han dynasty was in Chinese history. From the first century BCE onwards, China established connections with the Western world intensely through the Silk Road, particularly during the Tang dynasty, which reached as far as the Roman Empire and even North Africa. Several dynasties then were ruled by foreigners from the North and West. Religions and cultures, as well as arts to serve them were also constantly imported: glass, precious metals, blue glaze, marble sculptures, etc. These exciting years transformed China into a cultural melting pot, rife with new ideas and new ways of life, making China truly international.