The question might sound a little weird but let me explain: In the Western culture, especially in movie, video games (nowadays) and art, there is always those "bad guys". Today for example, it is either the Russian nationalists or North Korea. A few years ago, it was Al-Qaida and other Middle-Eastern terrorists groups. A few decades ago, it was the East: Russian and Chinese communists and their nuclear bombs. Then, the Nazis, and to some extent (in my country, France, especially) the German Empire.
But did this notion of "bad guys" is a typically modern thing, or was it already existing before ?
More can be written about this. /u/LukeInTheSkyWith provided three links, but I think only two of them have a good quality reply. This question has been asked a good number of times, but it tends to attract a metric boatload of replies with suggestions and off-topic chatter.
Please note the top reply in each discussion, which address the scope of the question.
The top reply, by /u/kratistos , at "What was 'the worst thing ever' before Hitler and the Holocaust? What example would Godwin have used, if he lived at different times in history?" .
'Before Hitler and the Nazi's, was there another go-to historical "worst person ever"?' : the moderator's comment by /u/shlin28 and the top-level reply by /u/DavidlikesPeace .
Edit (because I'd like a final result that I can copy-and-paste at need): knoperope pointed to "Who were the 'bad guys' before Nazis?" by AncientHistory.
This is not to discourage discussion. More questions, data, and debate are welcome.
In addition to u/scarlet_sage's links, u/AncientHistory's comment in Who were the "bad guys" before Nazis? might be of interest.