‘Fanfiction’ and the Canon in Elodie Harper’s The Wolf Den Trilogy

Abstract

This article examines how the idea of ‘fanfiction’ can help scholars of the ancient world create accessible and informative ways of introducing non-expert audiences to the ancient world, and show how Harper’s The Wolf Den trilogy is a good example. Harper uses a mix of material evidence and quotations from canonical texts to recreate the lives of ordinary Romans. The immersion in the ancient world created by this combination of material and literary evidence challenges the idea that the ancient world is exactly as represented by canonical literature. For example, Amara must alter her behavior many times to fit into the expectations of the upper class man she is acting as courtesan for as well as Pliny, who rents her for a week. In addition, rather than depicting Amara meekly accepting her fate, Harper shows how she and her fellow shewolves strive to break the cycle of oppression.