An early act of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius was to appoint Quintus Lollius Urbicus as governor of Roman Britain in AD 138.

He was born in Africa and quickly rose to prominence, serving in the Jewish Rebellion of AD 132-5, holding the consulship around 135 and then governing Germania Inferior.

Antoninus soon reversed the policy of his predecessor, Hadrian, and Lollius was to ordered to begin the reconquest of Lowland Scotland by moving north of Hadrian's Wall. Between 139 and 140 he rebuilt the fort at Corbridge and by 142 or 143, commemorative coins were issued celebrating a victory in Britain. It is therefore likely that Lollius led the reoccupation of southern Scotland c. 141, probably using Legio II Augusta. In 143 Lollius probably also oversaw the initial construction of the Antonine Wall and refurbished many forts including those at Newstead , Risingham and High Rochester .