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Inter Duos Lucos
The area between the two groves is a place with ancient connections to the founders of Rome and serves as a passage between the two summits of the Capitoline Hill.
Visitors to this Domus
 Visitors to Rome will note that the Mons Capitolinus, or Capitoline hill, has two summits: the southern summit of the Capitolium and the higher northern summit, the Arx. In the ancient days of the kings, there were two distinct groves of oaks, one for Jupiter on the Capitolium and one for Juno on the Arx, separated by the depression between them, giving the area its name of inter duos lucos. The area has also come to be known as the Asylum, taking the name of the walled enclosure built by Romulus to welcome refugees.
 The main approach to inter duos lucos from the Forum is along the clivus Capitolinus, leading up from the southern end of the Tabularium. From there, one can turn left to enter the precinct of the Capitolium through its gate. An alternative approach is up the steep scalae Gemoniae – the Gemonian Stairs – between the Tabularium and the Carcer. Turning to the right, one can proceed to the highest point of the hill, the walled citadel of the Arx. In the time of Cicero, the area inter duos lucos was still an open space. But later writers refer to the single lucus of the asylum only. Tacitus’ description of fighting on the Capitoline hill in 69 AD – the year of the four emperors – makes clear that the area was then filled with buildings and monuments. Partisans of Vespasian were besieged on the Capitol by supporters of Vitellius and attacked first from the southeast corner of the hill. They [the Vitellianists] then assailed the opposite approaches to the Capitol, near the grove of the Asylum and where the Tarpeian rock is mounted by a hundred steps. Both these attacks were unexpected; the closer and fiercer of the two threatened the Asylum. The assailants could not be checked as they mounted the continuous line of buildings, which, as was natural at a time of profound peace, had grown up to such a height as to be on a level with the soil of the Capitol.It was during the assault described above that fire broke out and destroyed the great temples, treasures, and archives of the Capitol.
Property background from Eos Development.
Image sources: Color plate of an oak cluster by W. H. J. Boot, in Some Familiar Trees by G. S. Boulger, c. 1900.
The Articles of Inter Duos Lucos:
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