Animal from classical literature

I believe the answer is:

ass

'animal' is the definition.
(term for a donkey)

'from classical literature' is the wordplay.
'from' indicates a hidden word.
'ASS' is hidden in the letters of 'classical literature'.

(Other definitions for ass that I've seen before include "Wally" , "A donkey or an idiot" , "Nincompoop" , "Jennet" , "Small hoofed animal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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