Ophites is a term used to describe a group of ancient Gnostic Christians who revered the serpent as a symbol of wisdom. Synonyms for this term include serpentarians, serpent-worshippers, and snake handlers. Ophites were known for their belief that the serpent in the Garden of Eden was a force of good, and that it had been punished unfairly for offering Adam and Eve knowledge. They also believed in the importance of gnosis, or personal spiritual knowledge, as a means of understanding the divine. Despite being persecuted by orthodox Christians, the Ophites persisted for several centuries, leaving a lasting impact on Gnostic thought and belief.