Underlying the names of Orpheus and Pythagoras the more radical transformation of the Greek religion is hidden. To both of them were attributed meditations and views that were systemized at least from the 5th century B.C. Pythagoras was a philosopher in the historical period and Orpheus was a mythical singer, whose activity is dated before the Trojan war. Orpheus in particular was attributed with a cosmogonic and theogonic teaching, related to the immortality of the soul and the reincarnation. Many of the works that are attributed to him were probably created during the 6th century B.C., by Onomacritus and Pythagoras. In these works the supporters of Orphism laid claims to the sanctuary of Eleusis and associated their views with the Dionysian mysteries and to those of Labyads and Kabeiroi. During the Classical period the activity of the Orpheotelestai is confirmed. With the help of Dionysus these succeeded in releasing man from his past and in his rebirth. Part of the secret teaching must have been the worship of a dismembering, chthonic Dionysus, together with faith in life after death. It has been convincingly maitained that these notions came from the worship of Osiris in Egypt, with which the Greek world was specially acquainted after the middle of the 7th century B.C.

Pythagoras was born in Samos and was active mainly in Croton and Metapontium in the second half of the 6th century B.C. His followers were called Pythagorioi and exerted important influence over the cities of Magna Graecia, until the 4th century B.C. The Ionian philosopher -who is also mentioned as a hierophant in the eastern worship of the Great Mother- had succeded in blending elements of Babylonian mathematics, Persian religion and most probably of Indian perceptions about transmigration. The teaching of Pythagoras included elements similar to the orphic notions about the immortality of the soul and the existence of "another world", whereas at the same time it encouraged an ascetic life, based on strict rules. The new perception about the soul, which had nothing in common with what we know from Homer, was intended to influence Hellenistic philosophical currents to a great extent and to prepare the ground for Christian doctrines.