Final answer:
Bacchylides is recognized among the canonical nine lyric poets, acclaimed for his lyric poetry that reflects the influence of the Orphic-Bacchic Mysteries and the cultural context of his time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bacchylides is included in the canonical nine lyric poets on the merit of his works. He was a contemporary of the revered tragedians such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, who are known for their plays presented at the Dionysian festivals. Bacchylides' own contributions to lyric poetry earned him recognition alongside other eminent poets like Pindar and Simonides. His work was undoubtedly influenced by the Orphic-Bacchic Mysteries, which were religious rites centered around the deity Dionysos Bakchos/Bakcheus/Bakch(e)ios. These Mysteries promised euphoria and a blissful afterlife, a prevalent theme in the religious and mythological context of that time. Despite the scarcity of surviving plays from many poets of that era, Bacchylides' lyric poems have managed to transcend time, contributing significantly to our understanding of the period's cultural and religious practices.