Rudolph IV, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (died 7 September 1510) was a German prince of the

House of Ascania The House of Ascania () was a dynasty of German rulers. It is also known as the House of Anhalt, which refers to its longest-held possession, Principality of Anhalt, Anhalt. The Ascanians are named after Ascania (or Ascaria) Castle, known as ' ...

and ruler of the principality of

Anhalt-Dessau Anhalt-Dessau was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire and later a duchy of the German Confederation. Ruled by the House of Ascania, it was created in 1396 following the partition of the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst, and finally merged into th ...

. He was the fifth son of

George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau ( – 21 September 1474), was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau. He was the second son of Sigismund I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau, by his wife Judith, daughter ...

, as the fourth-born child of his fourth wife Anna, daughter of Albert VIII, Count of Lindau-Ruppin.

Life

The last of his father's sons to survive adulthood, Rudolph succeeded him in 1474 as co-ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau with his older brothers Ernest I, George II, and

Sigismund III Sigismund III Vasa (, ; 20 June 1566 – 30 April 1632 N.S.) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1587 to 1632 and, as Sigismund, King of Sweden from 1592 to 1599. He was the first Polish sovereign from the House of Vasa. Relig ...

. He never married or had children; upon his death, Rudolph was succeeded by his only surviving brother, Ernest I. Princes of Anhalt-Dessau 1510 deaths Year of birth unknown {{Germany-noble-stub