What use of the ablative is illustrated in the phrase "Maximus nātū" to convey age?

In the phrase "Maximus nātū," the use of the ablative is indicative of the ablative of respect. This construction is used to specify a particular aspect or characteristic in which Maximus is considered to be "greatest" or "largest," which in this case relates to his age. The term "nātu" translates to "by birth" or "in age," thus providing context about his status in terms of age.

The ablative of respect helps clarify the dimension along which an adjective such as "greatest" is applied. Here, it conveys that Maximus is the oldest among a group, emphasizing the aspect of age as the relevant criterion for comparison. This use is distinct from other forms of the ablative, such as those indicating cause, means, or comparison, which would relate to different grammatical and contextual implications.