The earliest form of social and military organization (during the 7th century BC) seems to have been the three tribes (phylai: the Pamphyloi, Hylleis and Dymanes), who appear in the Second Messenian War (685–668 BC).
A primeira forma de organización militar e social (durante o século -VII) semella que podería ter consistido nas tres tribos (chamadas phylai e cos nomes de Pamphyloi, Hylleis e Dymanes) que aparecen na Segunda Guerra Mesenia (-685 a -668).