This essay follows the intellectual and political development of Roger Caillois, from the creation of the College de sociologie (1937) to the publication of the work which represents his literary legacy, Le Fleuve Alphée (The Alpheus River) (1978). In particular it aims to show how Caillois succeeded in overcoming the inclination of his youth towards far right ideology by expanding his comprehension of myth and renewing his relationship to literary writing.