The Dukes of Saxe-Weimar were a noble family that ruled the region of Saxe-Weimar in what is now Germany. This duchy was part of the larger Electorate of Saxony and played a significant role in the political and cultural landscape of the area during the late Middle Ages and the early modern period. The most notable duke was Karl August, who reigned from 1775 to 1828 and was a patron of the arts and education. The dukes were known for their contributions to literature and philosophy, particularly during the Weimar Classicism movement, which included famous figures like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller. The duchy became a center for cultural development, fostering a rich intellectual environment that influenced German literature and thought.