The term was used quite significantly by the historian Sallust, a contemporary of Cicero. Sallust asserted that it did not rightfully belong to the "nobilitas" as a result of their family background but specifically to the "novus homo" through the exercise of "ingenium" (talent, also means sharpness of mind, sagacity, foresight and character). For Sallust and Cicero alike, "virtus" is situated in the winning of glory by the execution of illustrious deeds ("egregia facinora") and the observance of right conduct through "bonae artes".