Publius Ostorius Scapula, who is probably the son of Quintus Ostorius Scapula, the first joint commander of the Praetorian guard appointed by Augustus and later prefect of Egypt, was suffect consul, probably in 46.

He is In the winter of 47 appointed the second governor of Roman Britain by the emperor Claudius, succeeding Aulus Plautius.

The south and east of the island is securely occupied and alliances have been made with tribes outside the Roman-controlled area, but other tribes continue to resist.

They stage attacks and uprisings, believing a new governor will be reluctant to campaign so late in the year.

Ostorius responds vigorously, attacking relentlessly and allowing the native resistance no time to regroup.

He apparently (based on an emendation of a corrupt passage in Tacitus's Annals) declares his intention to disarm all the Britons south and east of the rivers Trent and Severn.

The geographical area described has led to discussion about the role of the Fosse Way as a desired frontier line during the period as it links the Trent and the Severn.

The Iceni, a tribe based in Norfolk who have not been conquered but have allied themselves with the Romans voluntarily, object to this plan and lead neighboring tribes in an uprising.

Ostorius defeats them by storming a hill fort, possibly Stonea Camp in the Fens near March in Cambridgeshire, in a hard-fought battle. (Human remains have been found around the site, including sword-marked adult bones and the cloven skull of a child, indicating that the inhabitants were trapped and attacked within the settlement.)

His son, Marcus Ostorius Scapula, wins the corona civica for saving a Roman citizen's life during the fighting.

The Iceni remain independent, and it is likely that Prasutagus is installed as a pro-Roman ruler at this time, although he may have been one of the eleven kings who surrendered to Claudius in 43 following the Roman conquest.

In any case, as an ally of Rome his tribe are allowed to remain nominally independent, and to ensure this Prasutagus names the Roman emperor as co-heir to his kingdom, along with his two daughters.