Who was the ancient Roman religious deity of shepherds, flocks and livestock?

Pales is the name of a Roman deity associated with shepherds, flocks and livestock in the ancient Roman religion. The Latin name for this deity ‘Pales’ can be either singular or plural and refers at least once in Latin literature to a pair of deities.

On the date of April 21, Pales’ festival called the Parilia was celebrated. One of the rituals that was observed on this festive day included the shepherd jumping through a bonfire dragging his sheep along with him or driving his sheep through the bonfire. Pales and Parilia were strictly connected to the foundation of Rome which was believed to have taken place on this same date.

Marcus Atilius Regulus (c. Between 307 BC -250 BC) was a Roman statesman and general who was consul of the Roman Republic. He built a temple to Pales in Rome following his victory in southern Italy, over the Salentini in 267 BC. It is generally thought to have been located on the Palentine Hill, but, being a victory monument, it may have been located on the route of the triumphant procession either on the Campus Marius or the Aventine Hill.

The Palilia celebration also commemorated the day when Romulus drew the first furrow at the foot of the hill and laid the foundations of Rome. Romulus is considered the founder of the city of Rome.