What major work did Vergil spend the last ten years of his life writing?

The Aeneid is the major work that Vergil dedicated the last ten years of his life to writing. This epic poem, which tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero and progenitor of the Romans, was intended to glorify Rome's origins and its destiny. The Aeneid not only showcases Vergil's mastery of epic poetry but also serves a significant cultural and political purpose, reflecting the ideals of Roman identity and Augustus's vision of Rome.

Vergil began the Aeneid after completing earlier works such as the Eclogues, a set of pastoral poems, and the Georgics, which celebrates agricultural life and Roman rural virtues. However, it was during the last decade of his life that he focused intensely on crafting the Aeneid, striving for perfection in its themes, structure, and language. This epic ultimately remained incomplete at the time of his death, underscoring the immense effort and dedication he invested in its composition.