Little is known of Aulus Plautius's early career. It was previously believed that he was involved in the suppression of a slave revolt in
Apulia, which possibly happened in 24, alongside
Marcus Aelius Celer. However, the "A·PLAVTIO" of the inscription is now identified as Aulus' father of the same name,
Aulus Plautius. The younger Plautius was
suffect consul for the second half of 29, with
Lucius Nonius Asprenas as his colleague. Subsequently, he held a provincial governorship, probably of
Pannonia, in the early years of
Claudius's reign; another inscription shows he oversaw the building of a road between
Trieste and
Rijeka at that time.
Anthony Birley suspects Plautius also played a role in suppressing the coup by
Lucius Arruntius Camillus Scribonianus in 42. Claudius appointed Plautius to lead his invasion of
Britannia in 43. The
casus belli was to restore
Verica, king of the
Atrebates and an ally of Rome, to the throne; he had been deposed by his eastern neighbours, the
Catuvellauni. Birley argues that Plautius was selected not only out of gratitude for his loyalty the previous year, but for his established familial connections to Claudius and the Imperial family. On the beaches of northern
Gaul Plautius faced a mutiny by his troops, who were reluctant to cross the
Ocean and fight beyond the limits of the known world. They were persuaded after Claudius's
freedman and secretary
Narcissus addressed them. Seeing a former slave in place of their commander, they cried "
Io Saturnalia!" (
Saturnalia being a Roman festival in which social roles were reversed for the day) and the mutiny was over. The invasion force is generally believed to have landed at
Richborough in
Kent, although elements may have landed elsewhere (see
Site of the Claudian invasion of Britain). The Britons, led by
Togodumnus and
Caratacus of the Catuvellauni, were reluctant to fight a pitched battle, relying instead on
guerrilla tactics. However, Plautius defeated first Caratacus on the
River Medway, then Togodumnus on the
River Thames. Togodumnus died shortly afterwards, although Caratacus survived and continued to be a thorn in the invaders' side. Having reached the Thames River, Plautius halted and sent for Claudius, who arrived with elephants and heavy artillery and completed the march on the Catuvellaunian capital, Camulodunum (
Colchester). Claudius claimed in a triumphal inscription that he accepted the surrender of 11 British kings at Camulodunum. A
Roman province was established from the conquered territory and Plautius was appointed its
governor. Beginning in the year following the successful conquest, the four legions that comprised the provincial garrison proceeded to extend the boundaries of the new province: Legio IX pushed north along the course of what became
Ermine Street to construct a camp at what later became
Lincoln; Legio XIV advanced into the Midlands along the course of
Watling Street, then turned north to set up its base at what later became
Leicester; Legio II, under the command of
Vespasian, marched through the south reducing over 20 hill forts, conquering the
Isle of Wight, and subduing two powerful tribes, to eventually set up its own base most likely at
Exeter; the fourth major unit, Legio XX, Plautius likely kept at Camulodunum with some auxiliaries as a reserve force. Some years would pass before the provincial seat would be moved to
Londinium, which came into existence later in Plautius' tenure. In 47, Plautius was replaced by
Publius Ostorius Scapula. On his return to Rome and civil life, Plautius was granted an
ovation, during which the emperor himself walked by his side to and from the Capitol. == Family ==