NATURALIS HISTORIAE 37.3-4: PLINY, LIVIA, AND THE SARDONYX OF POLYCRATES

Once again, there is no obvious textual reason for Pliny to have abandoned his known practice. [...]the consistency of the use of language indicates that, in 37.3-4, Pliny was not using the corrupted word in question as the imperial adjective, Augustae, in order to identify the temple of Concordia by its formal imperial name, the aedes Concordiae Augustae. According to Pliny, the ring was returned to Polycrates as an evil portent by the goddess's own treacherous hand. [...]the narrative of 37.3-4 functions as a parable on kingship and the mutability of invidious fortune.