It was created when the Anhalt territory was divided among the sons of Prince Henry I into the Principalities of Anhalt-Aschersleben, Anhalt-Bernburg and Anhalt-Zerbst in 1252.
The creation of the three principalities of Anhalt-Aschersleben, Anhalt-Bernburg, and Anhalt-Zerbst was a consequence of the division of the Anhalt territory in 1252.