title: Principality of Anhalt-Plötzkau
text: # Principality of Anhalt-Plötzkau
  
  Anhalt-Plötzkau was a principality located in Germany. It has been created on two occasions. It was created for a first time in 1544 following the partition of Anhalt-Dessau but the principality ceased to exist following the death of Prince George III in 1553 at which point it was inherited by the prince of Anhalt-Zerbst.
  
  It was created for a second time in 1603 with the partition of the unified principality of Anhalt; this time, in order to create a bigger principality, parts of Anhalt-Bernburg were extracted. This second incarnation lasting until 1665 at which point Prince Lebrecht succeeded as Prince of Anhalt-Köthen and Plötzkau returned to the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg.
  
  ## Princes of Anhalt-Plötzkau 1544-1553
  
  * George III 1544–1553
  
  To Anhalt-Zerbst 1553.
  
  ## Princes of Anhalt-Plötzkau 1603-1665
  
  * Augustus 1603–1653
  * Ernest Gottlieb 1653–1654
  * Lebrecht 1653–1665 (co-regent)
  * Emmanuel 1653–1665 (co-regent)
  
  United with Anhalt-Bernburg 1665.
  
  