In Akehenaten: Dweller in Truth, a young man searches for the truth behind a ruler shrouded in mystery and attempts to understand the logistics of his actions as pharaoh. Author Naguib Mahfouz tells the tale of Meriamun, a boy who longs to investigate the so-called "heretic king- and the man who forever changed ancient Egypt. Through the protagonist Meriamun, Mahfouz delivers a powerful story told by Akhenaten's friends, enemies, and contemporaries in order to divulge the true meaning behind the actions of a king. The nature of Pharaoh Akhenaten, also known as Amenhotep IV, can be best exemplified by considering Meriamun's conversation with The High Priest of Amun and the queen and wife of Akhenaten, Nefertiti.
Compared to the vast majority of individuals, the High Priest of Amun lost the most with the enthronement of Akhenaten; thus, it is understandable that the High Priest longed for the dismissal of the Pharaoh. Though it seems that Akhenaten was the root of problems for the Priest, in actuality they began with the Tiye, the mother of the soon-to-be Pharaoh. Essentially, she paved the road her son would walk upon, which would eventually lead to the Priests of Amun losing their power and status in society. Hence, the High Priest of Amun harbored a sense of ill will towards Tiye, which carried over to her son Akhenaten, especially when the Priest learned that the young prince was straying away from the traditional Egyptian religious conviction and towards a newly found faith. In the eyes of the Priest, he had become a heretic. Thus began the High Priest's abhorrence for Akhenaten, for slowly "but surely "the Pharaoh was destroying Egypt. To the priest, the destruction and dissemination of his power and wealth began with Akhenaten's love for Aten and dislike of the Amun, the supreme god of Egypt and the temple. Following this came Akhenaten's new God, which he duly entitled the One and Only God; then came, in a metaphorical sense, the destruction of Thebes itself.