The Dukes of Saxe-Hildburghausen were a noble family that ruled the small German duchy of Saxe-Hildburghausen from the 17th to the 19th centuries. This duchy was part of the larger region of Saxony and was established in 1680. The dukes played a significant role in the political landscape of the time, often engaging in alliances and conflicts with neighboring states. The most notable duke was Ernst I, who ruled from 1724 to 1745 and was known for his efforts to modernize the duchy. The line of the Dukes of Saxe-Hildburghausen eventually merged with other noble houses, leading to its dissolution in 1826 when it became part of Saxe-Meiningen.