But much older than they, hidden in the mists of a remoter antiquity, were the creative Intelligences that were once honored as the architects and builders of our cosmos. Ancient peoples resorted to myths to gain and give refreshment and a new stimulus. They recreated their myths every time they, or a new generation, entered into them, though of course giving them a different shape in keeping with their own mode of expression. However, the myths must have retained their original catalytic theme, otherwise they would not have survived. This indicates a creative power in true myth that works magic in the participants.
Orphic myths offer a good illustration of the creative power in their Mysteries.
They present us with an Orpheus more complex than might appear at first sight. Oiagros succeeded his father, and later Orpheus inherited those responsibilities. The comic writer Aristophanes spoke of Orpheus as a kind of missionary of civilization, because he taught country people music and other arts. At some time in the remote past a new impulse, more Oriental than traditional Greek, must have been introduced into the archaic Greek religion. It is notable that in both references Orpheus is credited with establishing or purifying already existing Mysteries.