Joachim Ernest of Anhalt, was a German prince of the House of Ascania, ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst from 1551, and from 1570 sole ruler of all the Anhalt lands.
Background
Joachim Ernest was born in Dessau on 21 October 1536 as the second son of John V, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, by his wife Margaret, daughter of Joachim I Nestor, Elector of Brandenburg. He received an extensive education under the supervision of his father. In 1550, after the death of his father, he inherited Anhalt-Zerbst along with his older brother Karl I and his younger brother Bernhard VII.
Education
On 1 February 1549, just thirteen years of age, he was officially admitted to the University of Wittenberg, where, among others, he studied with the theologian Georg Helt.
Career
Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst Marriages Sole ruler of Anhalt In 1570 the death of his last surviving brother, Bernhard VII, left him as sole ruler of all the Anhalt states, which were finally unified for the first time since their first partition in 1252. Joachim Ernest made Dessau the seat of his government. Joachim Ernest was a typical Renaissance monarch who generously supported the arts and culture.
Also, he ordered the son of his chancellor, Tobias Hübner, to create a description of the famous knight"s games (German: Ritterspiele) that took place at the Dessau court.
In 1572 he created in the Regional Legal Code of Anhalt (German: Landesverordnung Anhalts) and in 1582 he founded the Francisceum High School (German: Gymnasium Francisceum) in Zerbst. Death and succession Prince Joachim Ernest died in Dessau on 6 December 1586.
Since succession in the territories of Anhalt was not governed by the rules of primogeniture, Joachim Ernest"s seven sons shared rule of the territories of Anhalt until 1603, when the five surviving sons divided their lands among themselves. Ancestors Issue.