John Casimir, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau

German price (1596–1660)

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John Casimir

Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Reign| 1618–1660
Predecessor| John George I
Successor| John George II

Born| (1596-12-17)17 December 1596
Dessau, Principality of Anhalt, Holy Roman Empire
Died| 15 September 1660(1660-09-15) (aged 63)
Dessau, Principality of Anhalt, Holy Roman Empire
Spouse| Agnes of Hesse-Kassel
Sophie Margarete of Anhalt-Bernburg
Issue| Maurice, Hereditary Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Dorothea
Juliane
John George II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Louise, Duchess of Brieg
Agnes
| Names

German: Johann Kasimir
House| House of Ascania
Father| John George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Mother| Countess Palatine Dorothea of Simmern

John Casimir, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (17 December 1596 – 15 September 1660), was a German prince of the House of Ascania. He was ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau from 1618 to 1660.

During his reign the tasks of government were carried out by a committee of court officials, because he devoted much of his time to hunting.

## Early life and education

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John Casimir was born in Dessau on 7 September 1596 as the third (but second surviving) son of John George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau, and the first-born child from his second marriage to Dorothea, daughter of John Casimir of Simmern.

After instruction with local tutors during his early years, John Casimir studied with his cousin Christian II of Anhalt-Bernburg in Geneva from 1608 to 1609. His tutors there were the Hofmeisters Markus Friedrich Wendelin and Peter von Sebottendorf.

The death of his older brother Joachim Ernest in 1615 made him the new heir of Dessau. Two years later, in 1617, his uncle Louis of Anhalt-Köthen, made him a member of the Fruitbearing Society.

## Reign

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In 1618, after the death of his father, John Casimir succeeded him in Anhalt-Dessau, but the tasks of government were carried out by a committee of court officials, because the new prince devoted much of his time to hunting.

A hunting accident on 4 October 1652 left him confined to bed for several years. During this time, in order to distract him, the famous poet and writer Philipp von Zesen was employed in his household.

### Death and succession

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John Casimir died in Dessau on 15 September 1660, aged 64. He was succeeded as prince of Anhalt-Dessau by his eldest surviving son, John George.

## Personal life

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### Marriages

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In Dessau on 18 May 1623 John Casimir married Agnes (b. Kassel, 13 April 1606 – d. Dessau, 28 May 1650), daughter of Maurice, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel. They had six children.

In Dessau on 14 July 1651 John Casimir married for a second time to his cousin Sophie Margarete (b. Amberg, 16 September 1615 – d. Dessau, 27 December 1673), daughter of Christian I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg. The union was childless.

### Issue

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Name | Birth | Death | Notes

|
|
|

By Agnes of Hesse-Kassel
Maurice, Hereditary Prince of Anhalt-Dessau | Dessau, 7 November 1624 | Dessau, 30 December 1624 |
Dorothea | Dessau, 24 October 1625 | Dessau, 21 July 1626 |
Juliane | Dessau, 17 September 1626 | Dessau, 30 November 1652 |
John George II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau | Dessau, 7 November 1627 | Berlin, 17 August 1693 |
Louise | Dessau, 10 February 1631 | Oława, 25 April 1680 | married on 24 November 1648 to Christian, Duke of Brieg
Agnes | Dessau, 12 March 1644 | Dessau, 13 May 1644 |

John Casimir, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau

House of Ascania

Born: 7 September 1596 Died: 15 September 1660

Preceded by

John George I

|  Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
1618–1660  | Succeeded by

John George II

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