Hathor is a very ancient goddess, dating to predynastic times. When
dynastic rule began, as
Horus was associated with the king, Hathor was with the queen. Her name translates to "The House of Horus," and so she is associated with
the royal family. But also, as the entire world could be said to be the House of Horus, Hathor can be seen as the mother-goddess of the whole world, similar to Isis.