To which empire did the northern kingdom fall in 722 BC?

The northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrian Empire in 722 BC, making this the correct answer. The Assyrian conquest marked a significant moment in Israel's history as it led to the exile and dispersal of the northern tribes, effectively bringing an end to the northern kingdom.

During this period, Assyria was expanding its territory, utilizing military might and strategies that included sieging cities and deporting populations. Their brutal approach to conquest involved the relocation of conquered peoples, which helped them maintain control over large regions by overwhelming local cultures with imported populations.

The other empires listed—Babylonians, Persians, and Egyptians—were involved in different historical contexts regarding Israel. The Babylonians conquered the southern kingdom of Judah later, leading to the Babylonian exile. The Persians succeeded the Babylonians and allowed the Jews to return and rebuild in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the Egyptians played a role in the history of Israel through various interactions, but they were not the dominant force that conquered the northern kingdom. Therefore, recognizing the Assyrians as the empire responsible for the fall of the northern kingdom is crucial to understanding the geopolitical landscape of ancient Israel.