Martyrs, athletes, and transmedia storytelling in late antiquity

Abstract

Fan fiction in antiquity suffers from a lack of certainty regarding what is canon. Is what is now considered fan fiction really fan fiction, or is it another contemporary version of the canon? The concept of fan fiction thus ought to be combined with the idea of transmedia storytelling, building on snowball-effect stories. This approach is used in an analysis of how saints became a characteristic of late antiquity Christianity. This era used fan fiction-like texts to describe the saints' life stories. The shrines and dedicated basilicas allowed distinct communities to gather and celebrate, and pilgrimages combined adventure and biographical identification with pictures, relics, and pilgrim tokens for the beloved saint. The Christian world in late antiquity has characteristics reminiscent of the universes created by transmedia storytelling, the aim of which is complete immersion in content.

Keywords

• athletes of christ
• cult of the saints
• fan fiction
• patronage
• pilgrimage