[5] After a military tribunate with the Legio XXII Primigenia at Mogontiacum (present-day Mainz), he entered the Senate and served for a year as legate to the proconsul of Asia.

Between 139 and 140 Urbicus refurbished the fort at Corbridge,[8] in preparation for the move north of Hadrian's Wall, and commemorative coins were issued in 142[9] celebrating a victory in Britain[citation needed].

It is therefore likely that Urbicus led the reoccupation of southern Scotland in 141 including the capture of Burnswark Hill,[10] using all three legions and a variety of auxiliary units.

It seems likely that Urbicus planned his campaign of attack from Corbridge in Northumberland, just to the rear of Hadrian's Wall, as dedicatory inscriptions positively dated to the early 140s have been uncovered at the Antonine storage-depot there.

Both of these sites, as well as similar military installations at Risingham, Chew Green, Cappuck and Inveresk, were very likely used as bases from which to police the lowland tribes, namely the Votadini to the east and the Selgovae to the west.

This done, then came the task of completing a new barrier of turf and timber stretching for thirty-five miles from east to west across the narrow neck of land separating the mighty Rivers Forth and Clyde, nowadays known as the Antonine Wall.