Ernest Gottlieb of Anhalt-Plötzkau (4 September 1620 – 7 March 1654) was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Plötzkau.

He was the eldest son of Augustus, Prince of Anhalt-Plötzkau

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...

, by his wife Sibylle, daughter of John George I, Count of Solms-Laubach.

Life

Gottlieb was born and died in Plötzkau

Plötzkau

Plötzkau is a municipality in the district of Salzlandkreis, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany....

. In 1653, after the death of his father, Ernest Gottlieb inherited Plötzkau alongside with his younger brothers Lebrecht

Lebrecht, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen

Lebrecht of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Plötzkau...

 and Emmanuel

Emmanuel, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen

Emmanuel of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Plötzkau...

; but because they succeeded his father in the regency over Anhalt-Köthen

Anhalt-Köthen

Anhalt-Köthen has existed on two separate occasions. The first state was created in 1396 when the Anhalt-Zerbst was partitioned between Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Köthen. The first creation lasted until 1552 when it was inherited by Anhalt-Dessau....

 on behalf of their cousin William Louis

William Louis, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen

William Louis of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen....

, Ernest Gottlieb took complete control over the government of their principality.

His reign lasted only seven months until his death. Because he never married or had children, he was succeeded by his brothers and co-rulers.