Such, then, are the demons; these are they who decreed fate. And their alphabet was the placing of living creatures. For the things that creep upon the earth, and the swimming things in the waters, and the four-footed beasts upon the mountains, among which they made their abode after being cast out of the abode in heaven—these they deemed worthy of heavenly honor, in order both that they themselves might be thought to dwell in heaven, and that they might make the irrational polity on earth appear rational through the placement of the stars. So that the irascible man and the toilsome, the self-controlled and the incontinent, the beggar and the rich, derive from these very ones who legislated genesis. For the drawing of the zodiac circle is the work of gods. And the prevailing light, as they say, of one of them gives the prize unfairly to the many; and the one defeated now is wont to prevail again. And the seven planets are well pleasing to them, like men playing at draughts. But we are above fate, and instead of wandering demons we have learned of one unwandering Lord; and not being led according to fate, we have renounced its lawgivers. Tell me, by God, did Triptolemus sow the wheat, and after the mourning does he benefit the Athenians? And why, if her daughter had not perished, did Demeter not become a benefactress of men? The Dog of Erigone is set in heaven, and the Scorpion the helper of Artemis, and Chiron the Centaur, and the half-formed Argo, and the bear of Callisto. Then how, before these came into being in connection with the aforesaid deeds, was the heaven without adornment? And to whom will it not seem ridiculous that, according to some, the Triangle is placed among the stars on account of Sicily, while according to others it is the prototype letter of the name of Zeus? For why have not Sardinia and Cyprus too been honored in heaven? And why have not the figures of the letters of Zeus's brothers, who divided among themselves the kingdoms, been set among the stars? And how is Cronus, who was put in fetters and cast out of his kingdom, established as steward of fate? And how does he who reigns no longer bestow kingdoms? Lay aside, then, this nonsense, and do not, because you hate us, transgress against us unjustly.