Medinet Habu - Temple of Ramesses III - High Gate

Just inside the gate in the outer wall (13ft/4m wide, with porters lodges on either side) is the High Gate, formerly called the Pavilion of Ramesses III, a massive structure which here replaces the normal pylon and gateway. This lay on the line of the great inner wall of brick enclosing a rectangular precinct within which were the temple complex and the royal palace. It was in fact part of the palace, which lay some distance away, and its rooms were occasionally occupied by the Pharaoh and his harem and were decorated accordingly. Two high towers with almost imperceptibly inclined walls, resting on the east side on. a sloping foundation wall, enclose a narrow court which contracts towards the back, where there is a gateway linking the two towers. On the front of the towers are reliefs. Right hand tower: the King smiting his enemies in the presence of Re-Harakhty; below, in chains, seven Princes of conquered peoples the Kheta (Hittites), Emor, Zakari, Shardana (Sardinians), Shakalasha (Sicilians), Tuirsha (Tyrrhenians, Etruscans) and Peleste (Philistines). Left hand tower: the King smiting Nubians and Libyans in the presence of Amun-Re.

In the court between the two towers are two seated figures of the lion headed goddess Sakhmet in black granite which were found in front of the gate.