Hispala Faecenia was a freedwoman and rich courtesan from ancient Rome involved in giving a testimony that helped put a stop to the Bacchanalian scandal of 186 BCE.
[3][4] The reason why Hispala was honourable in Livy's eyes in spite of her profession was because she made a confession in front of a consul with appropriate attitude, and because this in turn triggered the repression of the Bacchanalia.
[3] Hispala met and fell in love with Publius Aebutius, a notable higher class individual who lived in her neighbourhood, through her work as a courtesan.
[1] To follow this, Aebutius tells Hispala of his mother's and stepfather's plan of wanting him to join the Cult of Bacchus as an initiate.
[1] Because Hispala supposedly loved Aebutius, Livy says that she exclaimed “May the gods will more favorably!” and “your stepfather is in haste to destroy, by that act, your chastity, your character, your hopes, and your life” when she found out about the ordeal.
[1] Hispala explained to Aebutius that she used to belong as a servant for her mistress Paculla Annia in the cult, but earned her freedom and never once returned.
[1] After this, Postumius confronts Sulpicia, Aebutius’ aunt and sends for Hispala to clarify the exact things that went on in the initiation rites.
From the time that the rites thus made common, and men were intermixed with women, and the licentious freedom of the night was added, there was nothing wicked, nothing flagitious, that had not been practiced among them.
The men, as if bereft of reason, uttered predictions, with frantic contortions of their bodies; The women, in the habit of Bacchantes, with their hair dishevelled, and carrying blazing torches, ran down to the Tiber, where, dipping their torches in the water, they drew them up again with the flame unextinguished, being composed of native sulphur and charcoal.
[7] Livy says that she received 100,000 asses, received the ability to alienate whatever property she owned by gift or deed, could marry a patrician man, choose a guardian, marry a patrician man that no shame would fall upon because of her status and job, and finally said that the Consuls and Praetors in office would protect her so she could go about a life of peace and quiet; this reward was because she had broken her vow of secrecy.
[4][7] On a similar note, Nousek claims that when being questioned Hispala was interrogated for affirmation on what happened at the rites, while Aebutius' answers are just accepted by Postumius.