“Pharaoh” by Bolesław Prus is a historical novel set in ancient Egypt during the reign of the young Pharaoh Ramses XIII. It explores the political, social, and religious struggles of the time, as the ambitious pharaoh faces opposition from the powerful priesthood. The novel explores the attitude of political power towards morality and politics, highlighting the tension between personal ambitions and the "national" interest. Prus examines the reasons behind the defeat of reform efforts, revealing the complex interplay between the ruling elite and societal forces that resist change.