Some of the info for the Title / Concept:
Word Origin and History for ophidian
adj.
"pertaining to snakes," 1883, from Greek ophidion, diminutive of ophis "serpent" (see ophio- ). Hence, ophiolatry "serpent-worship" (1862), and the 2c. sect of the Ophitæ, who revered the serpent as the symbol of divine wisdom.