PartVIII-Catullus64

Piraeus- The harbor of Athens that was about three miles in distance from the city. It was and still is one of the largest harbors on the Mediterranean.

Crete- Home of King Minos and his son the Minotaur who lived in the labyrinth. The palace of Knosos was at the center of the island, and dominated the Cretan landscape. The island was south of Greece.

Summary: Catullus explains that when Crete would suffer from disease, famine or any other natural disaster they would take Athenian citizens and feed them to the Minotaur to try and appease the gods.