Final answer:
True, Virgil greatly preferred the countryside to the city of Rome, as shown by his pastoral works which idealized rural life and the contrast between the leisurely villas and the busy city life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Virgil greatly preferred the countryside to the city of Rome is true. This preference is reflected in his pastoral works, such as the Eclogues, which idealized rural life. While the wealthy Romans of Virgil's time might have lived part-time in urban settings, many, including Virgil himself, saw the countryside as a place of retreat and leisure. The countryside with its villas served as a symbol of status, luxury, and recreation, standing in contrast to the busy, dense, and sometimes chaotic life of the city.