sentence1: A fertile island of vines, olive groves, and pine forest, that lies just 3 km (2 miles) from the Turkish coast, Samos has taken a back seat in Aegean history since its golden age in the fifth century b.c.
sentence2: Despite being a fertile island of vines and olive groves Samos has not had an important role in Aegean history since its golden age in the fifth century b.c.