The First Pylon stands 27 meters (88 feet) high and 65 meters (211 feet) long. Its two towers are decorated with huge figures of Rameses III smiting prisoners before RaHarakhty on the right (north) tower and Amen-Ra on the left south). Amen holds a sword of victory. Below and behind the gods appear the names of Egypt’s defeated enemies. Between the flagstaff niches on the north tower a lengthy text recounts the king’s victory over Libya in his twelfth regnal year.

 On the south tower, Ptah offers long life and victory to the king. There is a stela carved on each side of the central door. The stela on the right is a record of a speech given by Rameses III urging his subjects to remain loyal to him. This seems a highly unusual request and an indication of trouble in Egyptian society.