Here's why:
* Lyrical Poetry: The lyre was closely associated with poetry, especially lyric poetry. It was often used to accompany the singing of epic poems, odes, and other forms of lyrical poetry.
* Traveling Musicians: Lyre players were known to travel from city to city, performing for audiences and accompanying singers. The lyre's portability made it a suitable instrument for traveling musicians.
While other chordophones existed in ancient Greece, such as the kithara and the barbitos, the lyre was the most popular and widely used instrument for lyrical poetry and traveling musicians.