Final answer:
The correct answer is option a) Augustus Caesar.
Step-by-step explanation:
The film's omnipresent statues of Caesar emulate images of Augustus Caesar, also known as Octavian, who was the first Roman emperor after the fall of the Roman Republic. The statues depict Augustus in a manner similar to classical sculptures, reinforcing his power, role as a military leader, and connection to the divine. In these depictions, Augustus is often shown as both a soldier and an orator, with idealized facial features suggesting youth and vitality, much akin to the images of gods or heroes in classical art.
The Augustus of Primaporta is one such example, where he is portrayed in contrapposto pose, wearing military regalia, and with an upraised arm like an orator, which was intended as political propaganda to bolster his position and convey his ideology.
Furthermore, the similarities between this statue and the Greek Doryphoros emphasize the way Augustus connected himself to the classical and idealized past, resting on the successes and imageries of the Golden Age of ancient Greece. This form of art functioned as a political tool, designed to communicate the longevity, stability, and divine connection of Augustus's rule, particularly during a period of significant transition for Rome.