Julian the Apostate (scroll to the link, "Oration upon the Mother of the Gods")

MUST we then speak of this subject also: and shall we write concerning things that are not to be told, and shall we publish things not to be divulged, and secrets not to be spoken aloud? Who indeed is Attis or Gallos; who the Mother of the Gods; what is the reason of this rule of Chastity; moreover for what cause has such an institution been established among us from remote antiquity; handed down to us indeed from the most ancient of the Phrygians, but accepted in the first place by the Greeks ---- and those not the vulgar herd, but the Athenians ---- taught by the event that they had not done well in ridiculing him that was performing the rites of the Great Mother. For they are said to have insulted and driven off the Gallos, as one who was making innovations in religion: because they did not understand the character of the goddess, or how that she was the very "Deo," "Rhea," and "Demeter" so much honoured amongst them themselves....

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

I resorted to synopsis instead of re-reading the relevant parts of Gibbon. Some other of my recollections are based on passages from books I may still have in my library, but the names of which will no longer come to mind and still others are from lectures more than 45 years ago.

I too am a sometime fan of Vidal.  He has a taste for the juicier historical subjects that most of those in his generation shunned. I always thought that Al Gore's relation to Gore Vidal plus his heritage from his father hinted that there might be depths to Al that were not on display.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."