Augustus, Prince of Anhalt-Plötzkau


Augustus of Anhalt-Plötzkau, was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the unified principality of Anhalt. From 1603, he was ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Plötzkau.
Augustus was the fourth son of Joachim Ernest, Prince of Anhalt, but second-born son of his second wife Eleonore, daughter of Christoph, Duke of Württemberg.

Life

In 1586, after the death of his father, Augustus inherited Anhalt jointly with his half- and full brothers under the regency of the eldest, John George I.
After seventeen years of joint rule, the surviving brothers agreed to a formal division of their lands in 1603. Augustus received Plötzkau, which was created from parts of the old principality of Anhalt-Bernburg.
In 1611 he proposed publishing the two Rosicrucian manifestos together, but was unable to locate a copy of Confessio.
From 1621 until 1642, Augustus acted as regent in Anhalt-Zerbst for his infant nephew John VI, and from 1650 until 1653 in Anhalt-Köthen for another infant nephew, William Louis.

Marriage and issue

In Ansbach on 25 January 1618 Augustus married Sibylle, daughter of John George I, Count of Solms-Laubach. They had eight children:
  1. Johanna.
  2. Ernest Gottlieb, Prince of Anhalt-Plötzkau.
  3. Lebrecht, Prince of Anhalt-Plötzkau, later Anhalt-Köthen.
  4. Dorothea.
  5. Ehrenpreis.
  6. Sophie.
  7. Elisabeth.
  8. Emmanuel, Prince of Anhalt-Plötzkau, later Anhalt-Köthen.